China’s commercial space sector just leveled up! The CYZ1 crewed spacecraft test capsule aced a critical landing system trial this week, bringing lunar ambitions closer to reality. Developer InterstellOr confirmed the success on Sunday, revealing that the capsule’s buffer system performed better than expected during simulated re-entry conditions. 🌕
How It Worked
Engineers dropped a 5-tonne test module from over 3 meters to mimic a parachute-assisted descent. The landing system fired retro-thrusters that blasted high-pressure gas, cushioning the fall like a cosmic airbag 🛡️. Sensors showed the capsule stayed intact, and all equipment survived the impact—a major win for crew safety.
Why It Matters
This test is a key step toward China’s goal of launching commercial crewed missions by the late 2020s. With plans to rival SpaceX and Blue Origin, InterstellOr’s progress could make space tourism and lunar exploration more accessible. Analysts say the tech might also support China’s moon base ambitions. 🚀
Next up: refining the system using data from this trial. Stay tuned for more updates as the CYZ1 program charges ahead!
