China’s reusable spaceplane, Shenlong, recently concluded its third orbital mission, spending 268 days in space. This secretive mission, shrouded in mystery, likely focused on developing and testing the experimental vehicle’s capabilities. The spaceplane’s activities during this extended period included releasing multiple objects and maneuvering to a higher orbit, sparking speculation about its purpose.
Local media reported Shenlong’s landing at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert late Thursday (Friday in Beijing). Astrophysicist and space tracker Jonathan McDowell noted on X (formerly Twitter) that the spacecraft passed over its designated landing site, the Lop Nur dried lakebed in Xinjiang, around 9:10 p.m. ET.
This 268-day mission marks Shenlong’s third flight, primarily aimed at testing reusable spacecraft technology and conducting scientific experiments in space, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua. Despite the mission’s completion, China remains tight-lipped about the spaceplane’s specifications, including size and payload capacity.
A rare glimpse of Shenlong in orbit was captured by an Austrian astrophotographer in August. While fuzzy, the images revealed intriguing details, including potential solar panels attached to the spacecraft’s tail and an estimated length of around 30 feet (10 meters).
Shenlong launched on December 14, 2023, aboard a Long March 2F rocket. Shortly after reaching orbit, it deployed six unidentified objects that appeared to be transmitting signals. In May, the spaceplane released another unidentifiable object, initially thought to signify the mission’s end.
Shenlong’s inaugural flight in 2021 lasted just two days. Its second mission, launched in August 2022, spanned 276 days in Earth orbit. The spacecraft is a product of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, a state-owned manufacturer of both civilian and military launch vehicles.
The U.S. Space Force is developing a similar reusable spaceplane, the Boeing X-37. The X-37 launched its seventh mission in December 2023, which is ongoing. It holds the record for the longest spaceplane mission, clocking 908 days in orbit during its sixth flight. Recent images captured by Marco Langbroek, an astrodynamics lecturer at Delft Technical University, offered a fresh view of the X-37, which hadn’t been observed since March.
While Shenlong didn’t surpass its previous mission duration, the focus may be on enhancing reusability to bolster China’s access to space amidst its growing space ambitions. The timing of Shenlong’s next launch will be a key indicator of this strategy.
China’s space program continues to advance rapidly, with ambitious plans for lunar exploration and other ventures. The development and testing of reusable spaceplanes like Shenlong are crucial for achieving these goals and solidifying China’s position as a major space power. Further observations and potential disclosures from Chinese authorities will shed more light on the specific objectives and outcomes of these secretive missions.
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