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China’s spaceplane was recently seen releasing and retrieving an object during a mission, getting much international attention and raising questions about its capabilities. China has not yet disclosed the technologies tested on the spacecraft, nor revealed photos since its initial release.
Marco Langbroek, expert in optical space situational awareness, claims the spacecraft likely has military uses like inspecting or even disabling enemy objects. However, he does state it likely also has non-military applications, like refueling satellites.
Langbroek also warned that a reusable spacecraft that can interfere with complex satellite networks would be extremely valuable as many militaries all over the world are working on such systems –these include the US’s uncrewed Boeing X-37B spaceplane launched in 2010, as well as Russia’s recent launch of several satellites that are suspected to have military capabilities.
Some experts believe China’s spaceplane is likely testing technology similar to the X-37B, with the commander of US Space Command General Stephen Whiting noting they are not yet aware of the specific objects released by the spaceplane, adding that any space activity performed by China likely has a dual use in the national security realm.
According to Interesting Engineering, tracking data shows the spaceplane launches from north-central China and lands at an airfield in Lop Nur, Xinjiang. Chinese media described it as a “reusable test spacecraft,” reporting on its launches and landings and emphasizing its potential for future technological development.
It seems that the spaceplane is about the same size and shape as the X-37B (9.14 meters in length), which has spent up to 908 days in orbit at altitudes of 38,000 km. The extended space stays also indicate the vessel is most likely uncrewed.
The Chinese spaceplane’s experiments with releasing and retrieving objects are comparable to the experiments conducted by the American X-37B, which was described by Boeing as “classified missions focused on exploring reusable vehicle technologies and taking experiments to space and back.”
