Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
China has achieved the third successful launch of its experimental reusable spacecraft, showcasing its commitment to advancing space capabilities while keeping mission details tightly guarded.
According to the Chinese state media Xinhua, the spacecraft took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert, propelled into low Earth orbit by a Long March 2F rocket.
Despite the accomplishment, China has chosen to remain secretive about the mission, providing no specific launch times or technical information.
The spacecraft is anticipated to conduct operations in orbit, verifying reusable technologies that align with global trends in space exploration.
Following its orbital activities, the spacecraft is slated to return to a designated landing site within China.
The relatively short interval of seven months between the second and third missions suggests notable advancements by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) in perfecting the spacecraft's reusability.
Despite the successful launch, China continues to shroud the project in secrecy, refraining from releasing images or comprehensive details to the public.
Believed to be a spaceplane, the spacecraft utilizes the same type of rocket employed for China’s Shenzhou crewed missions, offering subtle hints about its potential size and capabilities.
The development of this reusable spacecraft aligns seamlessly with China's broader ambitions in space exploration and technology, emphasising its commitment to staying at the forefront of global space endeavours.
China's secret spaceplane project mirrors the global trend of developing reusable space vehicles, drawing parallels with initiatives such as SpaceX's Starship, Blue Origin's New Glenn, and India's recently tested Reusable Launch Vehicle. The covert nature of the mission adds to the intrigue surrounding China's advancements in space technology.