Space science media Space.com reported on the 14th (local time) that China launched its third classified spacecraft into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
China’s recently launched unmanned space shuttle ‘Xianrong’ performed a secret mission in space for about 276 days after launch in May, and then departed for space again about 7 months after returning to Earth.
China’s secret spaceship ‘Xianlong’ hidden in mystery
Like the U.S. Space Force’s classified X-37B spacecraft, little information is known about China’s secret spacecraft. According to what is known so far, China’s classified spacecraft is a reusable spacecraft used to test new payloads and orbital operations. It will launch vertically on a rocket, perform its mission, and then land on an Earth runway similar to NASA’s space shuttle. It is known to land horizontally.
A few hours before the launch of China’s secret spacecraft, news broke that the launch plan for America’s secret spacecraft, X-37B, which was scheduled to depart for space aboard the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, was canceled. However, the exact reason for the X-37B launch delay and the changed rocket launch timing are unknown.
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America’s secret unmanned spacecraft X-37B (Photo = U.S. Air Force)
“It is no coincidence that the timing of the launch of classified spacecraft between the United States and China is similar,” said Gen. Chance Schaltzman, director of space operations, at the U.S. Space Forces Association Space Power Conference this week. “China and the United States are very interested in each other’s spacecraft.” “There is,” he said.
“Because it’s a capability,” he said, adding, “The ability to put something into orbit, do some work, bring it back to Earth and see the results is powerful.” He also explained, “It is probably no coincidence that China is trying to synchronize the timing of its secret spacecraft launches with ours.”
