China has discreetly launched its secretive space plane into orbit for the fourth time, leaving security analysts speculating about what the enigmatic craft is undertaking above Earth.
The reusable vehicle – dubbed Shenlong, translating as ‘Divine Dragon’ – lifted off earlier this month from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China aboard a Long March‐2F rocket.
Beyond that, Beijing has maintained relative silence regarding the craft’s fourth documented mission. No information has been provided on its orbital duration, payload, or planned experiments.
Authorities have merely stated that the programme aims to test technology to develop « more convenient and affordable round‐trip methods for the peaceful use of space » in the future, according to Chinese state media.
No official photographs or technical details have ever been disclosed by the Chinese government, meaning the secrecy forces external observers to piece together fragments from orbital tracking information and amateur sightings.
Shenlong is believed to be comparable in design to the US military’s X‐37B – an autonomous mini‐shuttle capable of altering orbits, remaining aloft for months, and returning equipment to Earth.
Unlike the American X-37B, Shenlong has been spotted deploying ‘wingman’ satellites into orbit before manoeuvring back to dock with or retrieve them.
Earlier operations have varied from several days to beyond eight months, indicating substantial stamina and adaptability.
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Whilst China insists the vehicle serves the « peaceful use of space, » defence analysts propose it is evaluating technology for satellite maintenance, space debris clearance, or possible anti-satellite functions.
The scheduling of the present operation is significant. It commenced precisely as the US Space Force prepares for its eighth X-37B deployment.
The rivalry between these two ‘covert’ vessels signals a fresh chapter of orbital dominance, where the capacity to remain in space for years while manoeuvring around other objects represents the ultimate objective.
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