In December 2023, China launched an unnamed spacecraft from the Jiuquan spaceport aboard a Long March 2F rocket, marking its third known orbital mission. On September 5, China's state news agency Xinhua reported the spacecraft's successful return to Earth, though details about the mission, landing site, and spacecraft operations remain scarce.

Xinhua's brief statement praised the mission's success, noting it as a significant step in advancing China's reusable spacecraft technologies. These technologies are anticipated to make space travel more convenient and cost-effective in the future.

China’s recent launch came shortly after the US military deployed its own unmanned Boeing X-37B spaceplane, which is renowned for its secrecy. While the X-37B’s operations are somewhat understood, China’s counterpart remains largely mysterious. Both nations are engaged in a competitive space race, with China aiming to catch up with the US's longstanding dominance in space exploration.

Spaceplanes like the X-37B and China’s secretive spacecraft are designed for reuse and can operate in both Earth’s atmosphere and space. Analysts believe these vehicles are launched into orbit by rockets and return to Earth by landing on runways, akin to aircraft. The development of such spaceplanes is crucial for advancing orbital missions, enabling rapid responses to space developments, and improving reusable technology, which is key to reducing space travel costs and increasing launch frequencies.

Reusability is crucial for making space travel more economical and efficient, allowing for more frequent launches with heavy payloads. As space warfare becomes more relevant, these reusable spaceplanes are likely to play a significant role.

Experts suggest that these spaceplanes could serve various military functions, such as retrieving or interacting with friendly spacecraft, conducting surveillance, or even targeting adversary space assets. This versatility makes them valuable for future space conflict scenarios.

What We Know About the Chinese Spacecraft

The Chinese spacecraft, often referred to as Shenlong, completed its first orbital mission in 2020, staying in space for two days. During its second mission, which began in late 2022, the spacecraft orbited for 276 days before landing in May 2023.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has announced plans for a fully reusable two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) space transportation system, with national funding provided by the Chinese Natural Science Foundation in 2022. Analysts believe the spacecraft has consistently landed at the Lop Nur military base in Xinjiang, a remote area in northwest China.

Recent images of the spacecraft captured by satellite observer Felix Schöfbänker revealed it to be approximately 30 feet (10 meters) long, larger than the US X-37B. However, the angle of the images might obscure some features, making the size estimate tentative. Yang Liwei, China’s first astronaut, has suggested that the spacecraft could carry seven astronauts and play a critical role in the future construction of China’s space station and moon landing missions.

Ground-based observers have also noted the spacecraft deploying a small object into orbit, similar to previous missions. It appeared to perform rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), demonstrating its ability to locate and approach objects in space. Such maneuvers could be used for satellite maintenance or repairs, a strategy many military powers are exploring for future space confrontations.

Dual-Use Technology?

Juliana Suess, a space security research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), pointed out that the spacecraft’s capabilities could have multiple applications. “This ability to maneuver close to another object could be used for inspecting space assets or clearing space debris. However, it could also be used for more nefarious purposes, including intercepting signals or damaging other spacecraft,” Suess warned.

While there is no concrete evidence that China’s spacecraft is intended for offensive operations, the technology and expertise gained from these missions could potentially be repurposed for military use. China has expressed similar concerns about the US X-37B, with Russia also echoing these apprehensions.