China Tests Its Moon Rocket and Return Vehicle

[China on February 11 tested its Long March-10 rocket]( https://www.spacechina.com/n25/n2014789/n2014804/c4543603/content.html), which is designed to take men to the Moon, and its Mengzhou return capsule. The tests involved a low-altitude demonstration and verification of the Long-March-10 and a maximum dynamic pressure escape flight test of the Mengzhou capsule. The test featured many firsts, including a new type of rocket, a new type of spacecraft, a new launch pad, and a new mission for the sea recovery of the rocket and spacecraft. At 11:00 am the rocket ignited and lifted off, reaching the spacecraft’s maximum dynamic pressure escape conditions. The spacecraft received the escape command from the rocket and successfully separated and escaped. The rocket’s first stage and the spacecraft’s return capsule were safely splashed down in the designated sea area according to the established procedures.