In an intriguing turn of events, China has successfully launched its mysterious space plane, Shenlong, for the third time, leaving the U.S. Space Force on high alert. The unmanned space plane took off aboard a Long March 2F rocket from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, raising questions about its undisclosed mission and sparking speculation among space enthusiasts.
The timing of the launch added an element of coincidence, as SpaceX and the U.S. Space Force were gearing up for the seventh liftoff of the X-37B on December 13. However, the X-37B launch was unexpectedly scrubbed at the last minute, coinciding with the Chinese space plane’s departure from the launch pad.
Similar to the X-37B, details about China’s reusable space plane, Shenlong, remain shrouded in secrecy. The spacecraft has completed three launches since 2020, with one mission involving the delivery of an unknown object into orbit in 2022. The origin and purpose of this object remain elusive, adding an air of mystery to Shenlong’s operations.
During its orbital journey, Shenlong is reported to have docked multiple times with an unidentified object, a process that spanned approximately nine months. The lack of transparency surrounding these maneuvers has heightened interest and speculation within the space community.
U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations General Chance Saltzman has emphasized that the launch of China’s space plane was not coincidental. While the exact intentions behind the launch remain unclear, there is speculation about potential surveillance activities or an interest in the X-37B. Regardless, Shenlong is currently orbiting Earth, leaving observers in anticipation of its next move and the duration of its mysterious mission.
