In August to September last year, China sent its one and only icebreaker Xue Long (Snow Dragon) on a successful two-way test run of the NSR.

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Part of Poon's stated objective is to help convince insurers to pay for the new test, which he believes will save money and help patients in the long run.

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This flight will shortly be followed by another test run to ensure that everything checks out, after which it will begin its first long-duration mission sometime later this month.

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