China has completed the inaugural test flight of its next-generation Mengzhou crewed spacecraft , executing a critical zero-altitude escape trial at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi Desert.

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Developed for China’s 2030 lunar ambitions , the modular Mengzhou spacecraft features two variants: a near-Earth version supporting space station operations with a seven-astronaut capacity and a deep-space model for lunar missions. Its reusable return capsule and advanced technologies place it among the world’s most capable crew vehicles.

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At midday on Tuesday, the spacecraft’s escape engines ignited while grounded at the launch complex. Within 20 seconds, the return capsule reached its designated altitude and cleanly separated from the escape tower as parachutes deployed.

The capsule subsequently touched down within the predetermined landing zone using an airbag cushioning system, marking the test’s success.

This safety test – designed to ensure the crew survive if the rocket fails during lift-off – simulates emergencies in which astronauts must be rapidly extracted from danger zones during a vehicle’s most vulnerable launch phase.

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It China’s first test of this kind since 1998, when a similar trial was conducted for the Shenzhou spacecraft programme.