China's commercial recoverable spacecraft completes test flight(1/3)

Lihong-1 Y1 lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China on Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo courtesy of CAS Space)

A Chinese spacecraft designed for space tourism on Monday completed its suborbital flight test mission in northwest China. Using a parachute-recovery system, the recoverable payload capsule landed safely and was retrieved at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

Designated Lihong-1 Y1, the spacecraft can reach altitudes of approximately 120 kilometers. It has low launch costs, a high level of flexibility, and the capability to recover experimental payloads.

Lihong-1 Y1 lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China on Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo courtesy of CAS Space)

Lihong-1 Y1 lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China on Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo courtesy of CAS Space)