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Researchers Warn That the American Vehicle, Now on Its Eighth Mission, Has Military Potential to Trigger a New Arms Race and Threaten Global Security.
Chinese scientists have expressed fears about the U.S. military’s secret spaceplane X-37B. They believe the craft could be used as a weapon to destroy space. The American secret spacecraft X-37B, from the U.S. Space Force, embarked on its eighth mission last month.
The Mission and Capabilities of the X-37B
The X-37B is an autonomous, unmanned spaceplane. It was designed by Boeing. The vehicle is used for advanced experimentation and technology testing. Equipped with cutting-edge technologies, it offers exceptional performance and durability, being capable of conducting a wide range of experiments.
So far, the spacecraft has completed seven successful missions. It has logged more than 2.1 billion kilometers and spent thousands of days in space. Each mission adds new capabilities and technology tests. This makes the X-37B a crucial platform for advancing space technology.
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On March 7, the aircraft completed its seventh mission. It successfully landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Mission 7 met testing objectives to demonstrate the X-37B’s robust maneuverability. The X-37B’s autonomous reentry capability ensures safe returns, allowing for rapid turnaround cycles.
Why Does China Fear the Spaceplane?
Researchers from China’s Space Engineering University believe that with the recent mission, the U.S. possibly aims to maintain its space supremacy.
Wang Tiantian and Feng Songjiang, from the university’s Space Security Research Center, expressed concerns. They pointed out that the aircraft could be used as a weapon. The fear is that the plane possesses dynamic capabilities. With its onboard systems, it could be used as a key component of the U.S. military’s “Prompt Global Strike” system in the future.
The Risk of a New Space Arms Race
Chinese researchers have emphasized that the rapid development of the X-37B has created more security risks. This fosters unnecessary international competition.
“With the development and application of technologies such as artificial intelligence and nuclear thermal propulsion, the X-37B is evolving in a smarter and more flexible direction,” the researchers said. They warned: “This trend… could reshape the landscape of space competition, and its enormous military potential will likely trigger a new round of the space arms race.”
The Chinese Response: the Shenlong Space Robot
Reports have revealed that Beijing is also extending its military reach into space. China has advanced in its space exploration with its reusable robotic spacecraft Shenlong.
The Shenlong completed its third and most recent orbital test in September of last year. It landed in the Gobi Desert after 268 days in space, according to state media. The Shenlong is suspected to have sent a strong signal to Earth while flying over North America in 2023. China is also increasing its capability to target satellites, aiming to weaken or deny adversaries access to space.
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