After two and a half months, China’s covert spacecraft has returned

China’s classified spaceplane successfully completed its third mission, gracefully touching down in the vast expanse of the Gobi desert after an impressive 268 days in orbit. 

This extended flight aimed to enhance the vehicle’s capabilities as it reached a striking altitude of 372 miles (600 kilometers) above our planet. During the mission, the reusable spaceplane carefully deployed various objects into orbit, showcasing its versatility and functionality in space exploration endeavors.

Spaceship touched down early Friday

Shenlong, a spaceplane, arrived in Beijing at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert on September 6th. The spacecraft flew over the Lop Nur lake bed in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, according to astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell.

China has been testing the technology to carry out experiments in orbit using the space plane. The plane’s reusable technology was another goal of the third trip, according to Chinese official news agency Xinhua.

Beijing has never released any details about its spaceplane

While Beijing has never revealed any information on its spaceplane, an astrophotographer in Austria captured images of it in orbit in August. The photographs, albeit being grainy, revealed some astonishing details about the jet. It is said to be about 30 feet (10 metres) long, with solar panels attached to the spacecraft’s tail end.

On December 14, 2023, the third mission was launched on a Long March 2F carrier rocket. Six mysterious objects were launched into orbit shortly after, and they appeared to be sending out different kinds of signals. It discharged an object in May that is still unidentified.

On its maiden voyage in 2021, it spent a mere two days in orbit. It lasted 276 days in orbit during its second orbital stay, which ended in August 2022.

The Boeing X-37 is a comparable spacecraft owned by the United States. This is something the Space Force is working on. It has already completed numerous other trips, and it launched on its seventh, still-running voyage into space in December 2023. When it comes to the longest mission duration, its sixth trip, which lasted 908 days in orbit, retains the record.

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