2023-12-16 22:56:41
The Chinese space plane CSSHQ began its flight this Thursday, December 14. This is the third time that China has sent its reusable space plane into space. The purpose of the mission remains unknown, as does its duration. The spaceplane was deployed into low orbit. This new mission begins as the Pentagon is regarding to send its X-37B into orbit once once more.
Takeoff took place on Thursday, December 14 at 3 p.m. (Paris time) from Jiuquan Space Center (Gobi Desert) using a Long March 2F launcher. This rocket model is usually used to carry Shenzhou spaceships and Chinese astronauts into orbit.
Third mission
An official report gave some information on this new flight of the reusable space plane, regarding which China is very discreet. The unmanned, reusable vehicle is equipped with wings like a small space shuttle. This mission is its third flight following a first in 2020 which lasted two days, and a second which took off in August 2022 and took place over 276 days. This third flight begins only seven months following the return to Earth of the previous one.
The official report details that during its mission, the vehicle will test reusable technologies and carry out scientific experiments, all “for a peaceful purpose”. The space plane is in low orbit, between 333 and 348 km altitude. Once its mission is finished, it will return to land in China automatically.
A competition with the Americans’ X-37B?
For its part, the United States is regarding to once once more send into orbit the X-37B space plane developed by Boeing and operated by the Pentagon. Takeoff is planned very soon aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy. The X-37B will notably test technologies for monitoring space traffic, managing anti-collision alerts, and the radiation resistance of materials. China and the United States are not the only ones developing space planes. India has its program and European manufacturers are developing their vehicle.
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