By 
November 10th, 2014
Chinese flag was carried by test capsule that made a circumlunar voyage.
Credit: CASC
A ceremony in China has showcased the re-entry capsule that recently flew a circumlunar trajectory and returned to Earth under parachute.
In a website posting by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, images are shown of what is now affectionately known as the “little fly” spacecraft.
Shown in photos are items flown in the capsule – such as a large Chinese flag – and other items.
The capsule made use of seven kinds of thermal protection materials, apparently to evaluate the heat-thwarting qualities of various materials. What was learned will be applied to the Chang’e 5 lunar sample return craft that is slated to fly in 2017.
Various items are removed from the test capsule that made a circumlunar voyage.
Credit: CASC
Before its reentry to Earth, the return capsule mounted to its carrier spacecraft was moving at a velocity of 11.2 kilometers per second.
Once released from the carrier craft, the capsule slowed down by employing a reentry method that had the capsule “bounce” off the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere, before reentering again.
The return capsule landed in safe and sound condition under parachute after some eight days of flight. It parachuted to Earth on November 1 (Beijing time) into Siziwang Banner in north China’s Inner Mongolia and was recovered by ground teams.
Credit: CASC
The test craft was lofted moonward by a Long March-3C rocket on Oct. 24.
Posted in Space News
