The mystery object was launched by a Long March 2F rocket, and it will remain in orbit to “offer technological support for the peaceful use of space.”
A secretive reusable spacecraft from China has been launched into orbit.
According to a report from Chinese state media outlet Xinhua, a Long March 2F rocket that launched yesterday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre is placing a “reusable test spacecraft” into low Earth orbit.
According to the source, the vehicle will be put through a series of tests that include “technical verification of reusable and on-orbit services as intended to give technological assistance for the peaceful use of space.”
Although no images or information about the launch has been made public, it is assumed that the spacecraft being tested is a spaceplane. The Long March 2F can launch around eight metric tons into low Earth orbit, which may indicate that it is comparable in size to the X-37B spacecraft used by the US Air Force.
A second covert Chinese spacecraft was launched in September of that year and spent two days in orbit before making a landing in China. Whether or whether this new car is the same is unknown.
A space “white paper” published by China’s State Council Information Office in January of this year indicated that the country would “continue to strengthen research into key technologies for reusable space transport systems, and conduct test flights in accordance.” This suggests that China is moving to develop its reusable spacecraft capabilities.
“China will develop new rocket engines, combined cycle propulsion, and upper stage technologies to boost its ability to enter and return from space and to make space entrance and exit more efficient in response to the rising need for routine launches,” it stated.
China is also developing its own spaceplane called Tengyun, through the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp. (CASIC).
“Unlike rocket recycling adopted by SpaceX, the spaceplane can take off from an ordinary airport to transport spacecraft into orbit. It will bring about a revolution for future space transportation,” CASIC’s Zhang Hongwen told China Central Television in 2018.
