Next-generation crewed spacecraft

Chinese deep-space crewed spacecraft in development

Next-generation crewed spacecraft
新一代载人飞船

Next-generation crewed spacecraft mockup displayed in 2023

Manufacturer|  CAST
Country of origin|  China
Operator| CMSA
Applications| Chinese space station crew and cargo transport
Crewed exploration beyond LEO
Specifications
Spacecraft type| Crewed
Launch mass|

* Total mass: 14,000 kg (31,000 lb) (LEO configuration)[2]
* Total mass: 21,600 kg (47,600 lb) (lunar configuration)[3]
* Maximum mass: 23,000 kg (51,000 lb)[4]
New version: 26,000 kg (57,000 lb)[5]

Dry mass| Crew module: 5,600 kg (12,300 lb) (landing mass)[6]
Payload capacity|

* Total payload: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb)
* Recoverable payload:2,500 kg (5,500 lb)[2]

Crew capacity|

* 6-7 crew
* 3 crew with 500 kg (1,100 lb) cargo[7]

Volume| Crew module: 13 m3 (459 cu ft)[2]
Power| Solar
Regime| Low Earth orbit, lunar Transfer Orbit, lunar orbit
Design life| 21 days[1]
Dimensions
Length|

* Total length: 7.23 metres (23.7 ft) (LEO configuration)[2]
* Total length: 8.8 metres (29 ft) (lunar configuration)[3]

Diameter| Crew module: 4.5 metres (15 ft)[6]
Production
Status| Testing
Built| 1
Launched| 1
Maiden launch| LM5B-Y1 (5 May 2020)

The next-generation crewed spacecraft (Chinese: 新一代载人飞船; pinyin: xīnyīdài zàirén fēichuán) is a type of reusable spacecraft developed and manufactured by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The prototype of the spacecraft underwent its first uncrewed test flight on 5 May 2020.

The crew carrier is designed to ferry astronauts to the Tiangong Space Station in Earth orbit as well as conducting lunar exploration in conjunction with China's future lunar lander by the end of this decade. It is expected to have crewed flight capability around 2025-2026.

## Overview[edit]

Diagram of the next generation crewed spacecraft tested in 2020

Intended to replace the Shenzhou spacecraft, the new vehicle is larger and lunar-capable. It consists of two modules: a crew module that returns to Earth, and an expendable service module to provide propulsion, power and life support for the crew module while in space.[8] It is capable of carrying six astronauts, or three astronauts and 500 kg of cargo.[9] The new crew module is partially reusable with its detachable heat shields, while the spacecraft as a whole features a modular design that allows it to be constructed to meet different mission demands.[8] With its propulsion and power module, the crew spacecraft measures nearly 8.8 meters long. It weighs around 21600 kg fully loaded with equipment and propellant, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).[10] Lunar missions undertaken by the next-generation crewed spacecraft and by China's future lunar lander are planned by 2030.[11][8]

The returned test vehicle was temporarily displayed at Zhuhai Airshow in 2021.[12]

## Test flights[edit]

### 2016[edit]

The debut flight of Long March 7 launched at Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on 25 June 2016 12:00 UTC with the scaled prototype of the next-generation crewed spacecraft test vehicle, called multipurpose spacecraft scale return capsule (Chinese: 多用途飞船缩比返回舱).[1] The capsule returned and landed successfully in the desert in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, on 26 June 2016 07:41 UTC.[13]

### 2020[edit]

The test flight of Long March 5B with the next-generation crewed spacecraft test vehicle as primary payload.

The test flight of Long March 5B included two payloads. The primary payload was the next-generation crewed spacecraft test vehicle (Chinese: 新一代载人飞船试验船) and the accompanying secondary payload was the flexible inflatable cargo re-entry capsule test capsule (Chinese: 柔性充气式货物返回舱试验舱).[14] Both payloads were launched successfully by the first Long March 5B rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, on 5 May 2020 at 10:00 UTC. The test of the next-generation spacecraft included the evaluation of avionics, orbit performance, new heat shielding, parachute deployment and a cushioned airbag landing and recovery system. The short-duration orbital test flight concluded with re-entry and landing in remote northwestern China, on 8 May 2020.[15]

The test of the secondary payload included the evaluation of the experimental flexible heat shield for cargo landing.[16][17] The flexible inflatable cargo re-entry vehicle test vehicle was scheduled to perform re-entry on 6 May 2020 after performing orbit experiment,[18] while the next-generation crewed spacecraft test vehicle carried out re-entry on 8 May 2020.[19]

On 6 May 2020, the experimental cargo return craft, the flexible inflatable cargo re-entry test capsule, launched as a secondary payload on China's Long March 5B rocket, malfunctioned during its return to Earth on 6 May 2020.[20] CMSA announced the cargo craft encountered an anomaly during re-entry and the investigation was carried out on the collected data.[21]

The primary payload, the unpiloted prototype for the country's next-generation crewed spacecraft, continuously raised its orbit before its landing on 8 May 2020.[20] On 8 May, China's spacecraft successfully returned to the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 05:49 UTC, on 8 May 2020, according to the China Manned Space Agency.[22] During the preparation of re-entry, the uncrewed spacecraft performed seven orbit-raising maneuvers to reach a final apogee of around 8,000 km (5,000 mi). The test vehicle finished de-orbit burn at 05:21 UTC, followed by the separation of service and crew module at 05:33 UTC. Before re-entering into the atmosphere, the capsule executed a skip maneuver employing aerodynamic lift in the high upper atmosphere, which extended the re-entry time for vehicles. This technique was used to prevent high rate of peak heating forming in short span of time when the vehicle conducted high speed re-entry such as from the Moon to Earth.[23] After re-entering the atmosphere, the crew module deployed three parachutes to slow its descent (whereas the Shenzhou has one parachute) and airbags to cushion the landing.[24] According to CASC, The re-entry velocity was higher than 9 kilometers per second.[24]

Development test flights  Mission  | Launch  | Crew  | Launch vehicle  | Outcome  | Duration

|
|
|
|
|

Multipurpose spacecraft scale return capsule
(Chinese: 多用途飞船缩比返回舱)  |

* 25 June 2016 12:00 UTC
* Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site

| N/A  | Long March 7 | Success  | 1 day 19 hours 41 minutes
Next-generation crewed spacecraft test vehicle
(Chinese: 新一代载人飞船试验船)  |

* 5 May 2020 at 10:00 UTC
* Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site

| N/A  | Long March 5B | Success  | 2 days 19 hours 49 minutes

## See also[edit]

* Chinese crewed lunar lander
* Comparison of crewed space vehicles
* Orion (spacecraft)
* SpaceX Dragon 2
* Orel (spacecraft)

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b Barbosa, Rui C. (25 June 2016). "China successfully debuts Long March 7 – Recovers capsule". NASASpaceflight.
2. ^ a b c d "我国"新一代"载人飞船取得突破性进展，一次可搭载6-7名宇航员". Sina News. 2 March 2020.
3. ^ a b "新一代载人飞船试验船运抵文昌发射场". Xinhua News Agency. 21 January 2020. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020.
4. ^ "中国新一代载人飞船新在哪儿". Beijing Daily. 13 May 2020.
5. ^ "中国载人登月初步方案公布，登月装备研制进展如何？" (in Simplified Chinese). 新华网. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
6. ^ a b "我国新一代载人飞船试验船返回舱成功着陆 如何迎接它回家？". CCTV News (in Chinese). 8 May 2020.
7. ^ "新一代载人飞船试验船测试全面展开". China Manned Space. 23 March 2020.
8. ^ a b c Jones, Andrew (2 October 2019). "This Is China's New Spacecraft to Take Astronauts to the Moon". Space.com. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
9. ^ Jones, Andrew (23 January 2020). "China readies its new deep-space crew capsule for 1st test flight". Space.com. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
10. ^ "China to debut new version of powerful Long March 5 rocket this week". spaceflightnow.com. SFN. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
11. ^ Andrew Jones (17 July 2023). "China sets out preliminary crewed lunar landing plan". spacenews.com. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
12. ^ David, Leonard (13 October 2021). "China just put its next-generation spaceship on display". Space.com.
13. ^ Nowakowski, Tomasz (28 June 2016). "PROTOTYPE OF CHINA'S NEXT-GENERATION RE-ENTRY CAPSULE LANDS SAFELY IN DESERT". Spaceflight insider.
14. ^ Xinhua Editorial Board (5 May 2020). ""胖五"家族迎新 送新一代载人飞船试验船升空——长征五号B运载火箭首飞三大看点 (LM5 Family in focus: next generation crewed spacecraft and other highlight of the Long March 5B maiden flight)". Xinhua News (in Chinese).
15. ^ "China says new spacecraft makes successful return to Earth". 8 May 2020. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
16. ^ "China's first Long March 5B rocket launches on crew capsule test flight". spaceflightnow.com. SFN. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
17. ^ Jones, Andrew (23 March 2020). "Chinese new-generation spacecraft mission proceeding despite coronavirus, Long March 7A failure". Space.com. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
18. ^ "我国首个柔性充气式货物返回舱试验舱将于6日返回 (China's flexible inflatable cargo re-entry capsule test capsule will re-entry on 6th [of May])". Xinhua News (in Chinese). 5 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
19. ^ "我国新一代载人飞船试验船将于8日返回 (next-generation crewed spacecraft test vehicle will return on 8th [of May])". Xinhua News (in Chinese). 5 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
20. ^ a b Clark, Stephen (6 May 2020). "Experimental Chinese cargo return capsule malfunctions during re-entry". NASA Spaceflight.
21. ^ "柔性充气式货物返回舱试验舱返回出现异常 (flexible inflatable cargo re-entry vehicle encounters anomaly)". Xinhua (in Chinese). 6 May 2020.
22. ^ "Return capsule of China's experimental manned spaceship comes back successfully". Xinhua News. 8 May 2020. Archived from the original on 2 January 2022.
23. ^ Barbosa, Rui C. (8 May 2020). "New Chinese crew capsule completes test flight, returns to Earth". NASASpaceflight.com. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
24. ^ a b Jones, Andrew (8 May 2020). "New Chinese spacecraft landing marks step toward future crewed lunar missions". Space News.

* v
* t
* e

Crewed spacecraft (programs)

Active|

* China
* Shenzhou
* Russia
* Soyuz
* United States
* Crew Dragon
* SpaceShipTwo
* New Shepard

Retired|

* Soviet Union
* Vostok
* Voskhod
* Buran
* United States
* X-15
* Mercury
* Gemini
* Apollo
* Command and service module
* Apollo Lunar Module
* Space Shuttle
* SpaceShipOne

In development|

* China
* Next-generation spacecraft
* lunar lander
* India
* Gaganyaan
* Russia
* Orel
* United States
* Starliner
* Orion
* Starship
* Starship HLS
* Blue Moon
* SpaceShip III

* v
* t
* e

← 2019 * Orbital launches in 2020 * 2021 →

January|

* Starlink V1.0-L2 (60 satellites)
* TJS-5
* Jilin-1 Kuanfu-01, ÑuSat 7, ÑuSat 8
* Eutelsat Konnect, GSAT-30
* Starlink V1.0-L3 (60 satellites)
* USA-294

February|

* OneWeb L2 (34 satellites)
* IGS-Optical 7
* Solar Orbiter (TechEdSat-10)
* Cygnus NG-13
* Starlink V1.0-L4 (60 satellites)
* JCSAT-17
* Meridian-M 9

March|

* SpaceX CRS-20 (Lynk 04)
* BeiDou-3 G2Q
* Kosmos 2545 / GLONASS-M 760
* Starlink V1.0-L5 (60 satellites)
* OneWeb L3 (34 satellites)
* Yaogan 30-06 (3 satellites)
* USA-298 / AEHF-6

April|

* Soyuz MS-16
* Noor
* Starlink V1.0-L6 (60 satellites)
* Progress MS-14

May|

* Chinese next-generation crewed spacecraft / Flexible Inflatable Cargo Return Module
* Xingyun-2 01, 02
* X-37B OTV-6 / FalconSAT-8
* HTV-9
* EKS-4
* LauncherOne†,
* Starshine 4†
* XJS-G, XJS-H
* Crew Dragon Demo-2

June|

* Starlink 7 (60 satellites)
* Starlink 8 (58 satellites)

July|

* Gaofen DUOMO
* Flock-4e × 5†
* Shiyan 6-02
* Ofek-16
* Apstar 6D
* Jilin-1 Gaofen-02E†
* USA-305, USA-306, USA-307, USA-308
* Emirates Mars Mission
* ANASIS-II
* Tianwen-1 (Zhurong)
* Progress MS-15
* Ziyuan III-03
* Mars 2020 (Perseverance, Ingenuity)
* Ekspress-80, Ekspress-103

August|

* Gaofen 9-04
* Starlink V1.0-L9 (57 satellites), BlackSky Global 7, BlackSky Global 8
* BSAT-4b, Galaxy 30, MEV-2
* Starlink V1.0-L10 (58 satellites), SkySat × 3
* Gaofen 9-05
* SAOCOM 1B
* Capella 2, Photon First Light

September|

* ION-SCV 001 (Flock-4v × 12), ÑuSat 6, UPM-Sat 2, Flock-4v × 14, Lemur-2 × 8, NAPA-1, SpaceBEE × 12
* Starlink V1.0-L11 (60 satellites)
* Chongfu Shiyong Shiyan Hangtian Qi
* Gaofen 11-02
* Jilin-1 Gaofen-02C†
* Jilin-1 Gaofen-03B × 6, Jilin-1 Gaofen-03C × 3
* HaiYang 2C
* Huanjing 2A, Huanjing 2B
* Gonets-M × 3, ICEYE X6, ICEYE X7, Kepler 4, Kepler 5, LacunaSat-3, Lemur-2 × 4

October|

* Cygnus NG-14 (Lemur-2 × 2, SPOC)
* Starlink V1.0-L12 (60 satellites)
* Gaofen-13
* Soyuz MS-17
* Starlink V1.0-L13 (60 satellites)
* Starlink V1.0-L14 (60 satellites)
* Kosmos 2547 / GLONASS-K 15L
* Yaogan 30-07 (3 satellites)
* Flock-4e' × 9

November|

* USA-309 / GPS IIIA-04
* ÑuSat × 10
* EOS-01 / RISAT-2BR2, KSM × 4, Lemur-2 × 4
* Tiantong-1 02
* USA-310 / NROL-101
* SpaceX Crew-1
* SEOSat-Ingenio†, TARANIS†
* Landmapper-BC 5, SpaceBEE × 18
* Sentinel-6
* Chang'e 5
* Starlink V1.0 L15 (60 satellites)

December|

* Gonets-M × 3, Kosmos 2548 / ERA-1
* Gaofen 14
* SpaceX CRS-21 (Nanoracks Bishop Airlock)
* GECAM A, GECAM B
* USA-311 / Orion 10
* SXM-7
* CMS-01 / GSAR-12R
* OneWeb L4 (36 satellites)
* USA-312, USA-313
* Yaogan 33
* CSO-2

Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas ( , ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ). Cubesats are smaller.
Crewed flights are underlined. Launch failures are marked with the † sign. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are (enclosed in parentheses).

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