China conducts successful escape test for new manned spacecraft

China successfully carried out a zero-altitude escape flight test of its new Mengzhou manned spacecraft on Tuesday at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China, marking the first such test in 27 years.

The test represents a major breakthrough in the country's manned lunar exploration program, the China Manned Space Agency said in a news release on Tuesday.

At 12:30 pm, an ignition command was issued and the escape engine of the Mengzhou spacecraft fired successfully. The spacecraft and its escape tower lifted off under the propulsion of solid-fuel engines.

Roughly 20 seconds later, the combination reached the predetermined altitude, and the return capsule separated from the escape tower. The parachute deployed smoothly, and at 12:32 pm, the capsule landed safely in the designated test area, cushioned by an airbag system, the agency said.

China's last such test was in 1998 for the Shenzhou manned spacecraft.