🚀 This Monday, January 12, 2026, the commercial recoverable spacecraft Lihong-1 Y1 completed a flawless suborbital flight test on the Chinese mainland.
Launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northwest of the Chinese mainland, the mission saw the payload capsule soar to about 120 kilometers, offering a stable, multi-functional experimental environment for over 300 seconds. After its cosmic adventure, the recoverable capsule descended safely under a parachute and was retrieved at Jiuquan. 🪂
With low launch costs, operational flexibility, and the ability to recover experiments, Lihong-1 Y1 is a game-changer for microgravity research, tech demos, and educational payloads. Think of it as the Airbnb of space—affordable, reusable, and perfect for short stay missions! 🔬✨
As commercial space ventures heat up worldwide, this success cements the Chinese mainland's spot in the new era of accessible space exploration. For young innovators, scientists, and space fans, Lihong-1 Y1 opens doors to turn bold ideas into orbiting realities—without breaking the bank. 💡🌌
Stay tuned for where Lihong-1 Y1 will land next—maybe a zero-g hackathon or a space yoga session? 😉
Reference(s):
Commercial recoverable spacecraft completes test flight in China
cgtn.com
