Although the mysterious Chinese space plane came to a complete stop on the runway earlier this month, not much is known about the vehicle.
It was launched into orbit on December 14, 2023, aboard a Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
The spacecraft, Whatever It Is and Whatever It Does, touched down on Earth after 268 days in orbit, landing on September 6, 2024.
growing maturity
“The mission of the spacecraft was to conduct reusable technology verification and space science experiments to provide technical support for the peaceful use of space,” state-run China Global Television Network explained. “This achievement highlights the growing maturity of China's reusable spacecraft technology, paving the way for more convenient and cost-effective spaceflight for peaceful purposes in the future.”
China Global Television Network also noted that China launched experimental reusable spacecraft in September 2020 and August 2022, which spent two and 276 days in orbit respectively “before returning to their designated landing sites.”
delta wing design
While the spaceplane's final flight was underway, veteran space observer Felix Schoffbanker in Upper Austria took pictures of the craft.
In a recent post, Schoffbanker said he took photos on August 10 of the Chinese spacecraft showing a delta wing design, taken when the craft had rotated 180 degrees since a previous observation he made on July 30.
Schoffbanker suggests that the dark spot between the wings may be the cargo bay.
Meanwhile, the US spacecraft X-37B is still orbiting Earth. It has been on an equally mysterious journey since its launch on December 29, 2023. It has now been 267 days since it set off on its secret mission.
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