New Delhi: Chinas state news agency Xinhua confirmed the safe return of a mysterious spacecraft to Earth on September 5. However, the brief report provided minimal details about the spacecrafts mission, landing site, or images, keeping the specifics of its operation largely under wraps.In a short statement, Xinhua highlighted that the missions success demonstrates the growing maturity of Chinas reusable spacecraft technologies, which are expected to lead to more convenient and affordable round-trip methods for peaceful space use in the future.In December 2023, China launched this unnamed spacecraft from the Jiuquan spaceport, using a Long March 2F rocket. This marked Chinas third known orbital mission. The launch occurred just weeks after the US military launched its own unmanned Boeing X-37B spaceplane, widely considered the most secretive in the US arsenal.The Chinese spaceplane has completed its third flight.Chinese media reported (at 0144 UTC) landing of the plane on Sep 6 (Beijing time). My calculations show the orbit ground track of 2023-195A passed over the usual Lop Nor landing site at 0110 UTC Sep 6 (about an hour ago).— Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) September 6, 2024US vs China: Tale of secretive spacecraftAlthough the US X-37B is shrouded in secrecy, more information is available about it than about Chinas counterpart. Both nations are locked in a fierce space race, where Chinas ultimate goal is to catch up with the US, a dominant force in space exploration for years.Spaceplanes like the X-37B and Chinas secretive craft are designed as reusable vehicles capable of operating both in Earths atmosphere and outer space. Analysts suggest that both crafts are launched into orbit via rockets and return to Earth by landing on runways, similar to aircraft.Spacecraft of this nature are crucial for conducting orbital missions, responding to rapid developments in space, and advancing reusable technology. This technology could be key to future space travel, reducing costs and enabling quicker turnaround for human spaceflight missions.Reusability is especially important for making space travel more economical and efficient. It allows for heavy payloads to be put into orbit more frequently, enabling a higher cadence of launches. As warfare increasingly moves into space, these reusable spaceplanes are likely to play a significant role in future conflicts.#Chinas #Spacecraft /1-3可重复使用试验航天器#可重复使用试验航天器Reusable Test Spacecraft#ReusableTestSpacecraft #CSSHQ -3📍Launched By #CZ2F长征二号F #长征二号FLong March 2F 长二F#LongMarch2Fhttps://t.co/HzTxrMU9Xchttps://t.co/0oirsRA1Pihttps://t.co/YbdITzieM9 pic.twitter.com/fScZdzRxT8— James Jayi Wang (@jayi_wang) December 15, 2023What are the military applications of the Chinese spacecraftExperts suggest that these spaceplanes could be used for a variety of military purposes. They may retrieve or interact with friendly spacecraft, surveil, or even attack an opponents space-based assets. This makes them invaluable for future space warfare scenarios.What we know so far about the Chinese spacecraftThe mysterious Chinese spacecraft, sometimes referred to as Shenlong, first completed an orbital mission in 2020, staying in space for just two days. However, during its second flight, which began in late 2022, the spacecraft remained in orbit for 276 days, finally landing in May 2023.Prior to its maiden flight, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced plans to develop a fully reusable two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) space transportation system. The Chinese Natural Science Foundation provided national funding for the project in 2022. Analysts believe the spacecraft has consistently landed at the Lop Nur military base in Xinjiang, a remote area in northwest China.Chinas commitment to developing reusable space technologies is part of its broader space ambitions. The time gap between the spacecrafts successive launches and landings provides insights into Chinas progress in reusability advancements.Chinas spacecraft captured in rare imageOn its third flight, which ended recently, satellite observer Felix Schöfbänker managed to capture rare images of the secretive spacecraft in midair. Schöfbänker estimated the spacecraft to be around 30 feet (10 meters) long, which makes it larger than the US X-37B. However, he cautioned that the spacecrafts angle could obscure some features, making the estimate potentially inaccurate.Earlier, Yang Liwei, Chinas first astronaut, stated in an interview with Guangzhou Daily that the spacecraft could carry seven astronauts. “It will also play a critical role in the future construction of Chinas space station and moon landing mission,” said Yang.2/xA frame stack of 36 frames from the video. pic.twitter.com/c8mWb034MK— Dr Marco Langbroek (@Marco_Langbroek) June 7, 2024Ground-based spacecraft watchers also observed the vehicle deploying a small object into orbit, similar to previous missions. The spacecraft appeared to be conducting rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), demonstrating its ability to locate and approach objects in space. Such maneuvers could be used to maintain or repair satellites, a strategy many military powers are developing to gain an edge in future space confrontations.Dual-use technologyJuliana Suess, a space security research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), noted in an interview with CNN that these spacecraft capabilities allow for multiple applications. “This ability to maneuver close to another object could be used for inspecting space assets or clearing space debris. However, it could also be used for more nefarious purposes, including intercepting signals or damaging other spacecraft,” Suess warned.While there is no conclusive evidence that Chinas spacecraft is designed for offensive counter-space operations, analysts are wary that the technology and expertise gained from these missions could be repurposed for military use. China, for its part, has voiced similar concerns about the US X-37B, with Russia echoing these sentiments.
