The Lihong-2 reusable launch vehicle, developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), has completed its design phase and entered full-scale engineering development. It is scheduled to complete its first flight and 100 km recovery verification by 2026. The vehicle consists of a booster rocket and a payload module, serving as a key technology verification platform for rocket recovery and reuse, as well as a microgravity experiment platform. The first flight will carry multiple experimental payloads: a space pharmaceutical payload (fully automated space protein crystallization device focused on drug development for major diseases such as lung cancer and cardiovascular conditions), an unattended robot (to verify operational stability in microgravity and high-vacuum environments), and wearable monitoring equipment for space tourism. The main propulsion system is the self-developed Liqin-1 pintle-type liquid oxygen/kerosene engine, which enables deep continuous thrust throttling from 40% to 100% with a thrust adjustment precision of 1%. CASIC is also developing the Lihong-3 reusable orbital spacecraft, with its first flight planned for 2028.
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力鸿二号可重复使用运载器计划2026年完成首飞及百公里级回收验证
中科宇航研制的力鸿二号可重复使用运载器已完成设计阶段,全面进入工程研制阶段,计划2026年完成首飞及百公里级回收验证。该运载器由助推火箭和载荷舱两部分组成,是中科宇航火箭回收复用关键技术验证平台和微重力实验平台。首飞任务将搭载多项实验载荷:太空制药载荷(全自动太空蛋白质结晶装置,聚焦肺癌、心血管等重大疾病药物研发)、无人值守机器人(验证微重力、高真空环境下作业稳定性)及太空旅游可穿戴监测设备。主动力系统为自主研发的力擎一号针栓式液氧煤油发动机,可实现40%至100%深度连续变推力调节,推力调节精度可达1%。中科宇航同时正在研制力鸿三号可重复使用轨道级航天器,计划2028年首飞。