Chongfu Shiyong Shiyan Hangtian Qi (CSSHQ)

Launch data:

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• Chongfu Shiyong Shiyan Hangtian Qi (CSSHQ) is the first Chinese reusable test spacecraft.
• The test spacecraft will return to its intended domestic landing site after an unspecified period in orbit, during which technical validation of the reusable spacecraft and its systems will be carried out. Reportedly the spacecraft is a winged space plane.

Mission details:

• On Sep 4, 2020 at 0730 UTC (plus or minus one minute, based on analysis of TLEs), China′s CALT launched a Chang Zheng 2F (probably S/N T3) carrying an experimental spacecraft into a 332 x 348 km x 50.2 deg orbit. The spacecraft was referred to as Chongfu Shiyong Shiyan Hangtian Qi which translates as Reusable Test Spacecraft.
• Sometime around 2230 Sep 5, a few orbits before the landing, a new object separated from the spacecraft and was cataloged as 2020-063G. It may be a service module or solar array jettisoned prior to the deorbit burn.
• Xinhua reported early on Sep 6 that the spacecraft had landed successfully.
  Likely landing time is around 0200 UTC with a candidate landing site being runway 05 at an air base at 89.27E 40.78N near Lop Nor.
• It has returned to earth after 2 days in orbit with a landing near Lop Nor. It left behind an object in orbit, which may be some kind of service module, a solar array or a satellite payload.

External links:

• Wikipedia: Spacecraft Information
• Seradata Satellite description
• Air & Cosmos: Spacecraft Information
• Satellite tracking (n2ya.com): Real time satellite tracking