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The space race heats up between China and the US with the development of a secret space plane that could change the future of space travel.
Have you heard about the space race between the US and China? Well, it’s more intense than ever! Recently, China surprised the world by announcing that its experimental Chinese spacecraft had returned to Earth after more than eight months in orbit. This Chinese spaceplane, which is part of a top-secret technology, shows how far the country is advancing in its mission to dominate space. Let’s take a closer look at what we know (and what’s still hidden) about this Chinese spacecraft and the impact it could have on the space race.
What is China's space plane?
China is developing a “reusable experimental spacecraft”, which many experts believe to be the country’s secret spaceplane. The vehicle, which combines the features of an airplane and a spacecraft, was launched in December last year and remained in orbit for an incredible 268 days before returning to an unidentified location in September. The mission was declared a complete success by Chinese state media, but specific details about the spaceplane are still shrouded in mystery.
While China hasn’t released much information about the spacecraft, its goal seems clear: to catch up with and perhaps even surpass the United States in terms of space dominance. The Asian giant is investing heavily in reusable space technology that could change the way we travel and operate in space in the coming years.
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What are spaceplanes and why are they important?
When we talk about “space plane”, it is normal to remember the Space Shuttle. NASA, which flew 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. However, the Chinese spaceplane and its American counterpart, the X-37B, are smaller and unmanned. They are designed to be reusable, being able to be launched into space and returned to Earth like airplanes.
But why are these space planes so important? Well, the answer lies in the fact that they have the potential to accomplish several missions in orbit, which allows countries like China and the US to respond quickly to changes in the space environment. Additionally, these craft are a major step towards reusable spacecraft technology, which could facilitate space travel in the future.
China's secret program
Although China maintains a high level of secrecy surrounding its space program, some information has been obtained through public analysis and data. What is known is that the Chinese spacecraft was first launched in 2020 and has since completed three missions.
Information about the tested technologies, or even the name of the spacecraft, have not been released. Many believe that the vehicle used could be the “Shenlong,” a space plane that has been under development in China for about two decades. The mystery surrounding this spacecraft only increases curiosity about what is to come in the coming years.
Analysts suspect that Chinese spacecraft may have launched a “subsatellite” on one of its recent missions, indicating that the country is experimenting with new space maneuvers. This raises the question: Is China developing technology that could be used for military purposes in space?
What does this mean for the space race?
China has made it clear that its space ventures are for peaceful purposes, but many experts believe the technologies it is developing could have military applications. The ability to maneuver in space, inspect space assets or even jam adversary satellites is something that worries other countries, especially the United States.
US Space Force General Chance Saltzman acknowledged the importance of these space planes, both for the USA as for China. He stressed that the ability to put something into orbit, conduct operations and bring it back for analysis is a powerful advantage for any country.
How does the Chinese spaceplane compare to the American X-37B?
The US X-37B, which first launched in 2010, has been a benchmark for Chinese spacecraft development. However, the American spaceplane has more experience, having completed seven missions to date. The X-37B's longest mission lasted 908 days, setting a record for such a spacecraft.
While the U.S. Space Force uses the X-37B to test new technologies and conduct experiments in orbit, China's program remains a mystery. We do know that China is closely watching what the U.S. does and is likely using the X-37B as a model for its own spacecraft.
The space race is more alive than ever!
With continued advancements in both the US and China, it is clear that reusable spacecraft are the future of space exploration and operations. China is investing heavily in this technology, and its spacecraft could play an important role not only for peaceful purposes, but also in ensuring that the country plays a leading role in space security.
The development of the Chinese spacecraft shows that the space race between the US and China is more heated than ever. Both nations are investing in reusable spaceplane technology that could shape the future of space exploration and, possibly, military operations in space.
While much is still shrouded in secrecy, what we do know so far is that China is making rapid progress in this area and that the Chinese spaceplane has the potential to be a key player in that race.
