New Haolong Spacecraft Unveiled at Airshow China 2024

The Haolong space cargo shuttle is currently being exhibited at the Aviation Industry Corporation of China's hall during Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, taking place from November 12 to 17, 2024. Fang Yuanpeng, the chief designer of the shuttle, informed the Global Times that the vehicle is now in the engineering development phase, and it is anticipated that the public will see the spacecraft in the near future.

Developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute, a part of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the Haolong is a significant addition to China's aerospace capabilities. The institute is also known for creating various Chinese fighter jets, such as the J-20 and J-10, which incorporate "long" in their names, reflecting the cultural significance of dragons in Chinese symbolism.

Fang emphasizes that for a spacecraft to enter orbit, it must factor in the influences of the space environment, necessitating a mix of aeronautical and spaceflight design concepts. The primary challenge he identifies is achieving optimal aerodynamic design. The Haolong, with its expansive wingspan and a high lift-to-drag ratio, is designed to maintain considerable maneuverability within the atmosphere, allowing for multiple reentry opportunities.

Once loaded with cargo, Haolong can be launched into orbit using a commercial carrier rocket. Upon reaching orbit, it will deploy its solar panels and open its docking shield. After carefully maneuvering to approach a space station, Haolong's rear section will dock with it, allowing astronauts to access its cargo bay to load and store supplies. After its mission, the shuttle will detach from the space station, reenter the atmosphere, and land horizontally at an airport.

design, engineering development, and cargo mission preparation. He confirmed that the design phase has already been completed, and the engineering development is currently in progress, promising the public will get to see the shuttle soon.