China’s secret space plane returns after 268 days in orbit

September 6 () –

A Chinese experimental reusable spacecraft successfully returned to its scheduled landing site on September 6. after 268 days of operation in orbit.

The ship –which is considered similar to the United States’ X-37B reusable space plane– It was launched on December 14, 2023, by a Long March-2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

During the operation in orbit, the objective was to carry out “verifications of reusable technologies and space scientific experiments to provide technical support for the peaceful use of space,” the official Xinhua news agency reported. in a statement following the launch.

After landing, the same source He said the success of the experiment demonstrates the “increasing maturity of China’s reusable spacecraft technologies,” which will pave the way for more convenient and affordable round-trip methods for peaceful use of space in the future.

In May 2023A similar craft has already returned to Earth after operating for 276 days in orbit. It is possibly a prototype space plane in the style of the US X37B.

China has not revealed details of its reusable experimental spacecraft project. No images have been released from either launch or landing.