China Set to Test Its Space Plane Prototype

A plane that takes off and lands like a rocket

This space plane named Yunxing will take off and land vertically like a rocket. Powered by a pair of rotary detonation engines, it will be able to fly at altitudes of more than 20 kilometers with a maximum range of 3,000 kilometers

Space Transportation plans to begin test flights from the second half of 2025 with its prototype. It measures 11.8 meters with a wingspan of 4.4 meters and a weight of approximately 4,500 kilograms. The first flight with passengers is planned for 2027. Two people will be able to sit on board.

A model capable of carrying 50 passengers

By 2031, the company plans to introduce a larger version (30 m long) capable of carrying 50 passengers and flying at Mach 5. Space Transportation's ambition is also to democratize space tourism. According to the South China Morning Postt which takes up a statement from the company's vice-president dating from 2021, the objective would be to increase the price of a ticket for a space flight from $450,000 to $63,180.

Beyond the technological challenge, Fan Deng, general manager of Space Transportation, told Spacenews that the hard point of the project lay in the regulatory aspect. The legislation governing the different aspects of hypersonic flight (air corridor, sonic boom, environmental impact, etc.) varies from one country to another.

“ In the future we will therefore have to work a lot more on this point “, he indicated. The presence of Space Transportation at Space Tech Expo Europe is undoubtedly part of this evangelization strategy.