New Chinese Space Plane

[John Fedup]

It appears that China may have something similar to the US X-37B. Sort of explains the push for America’s Space Force if intelligence sources knew about this launch for sometime.

U.S. Confirms China Has Launched What Could Be Its Version Of The X-37B Spaceplane

The reusable experimental spacecraft was launched into space on a secret mission from Inner Mongolia earlier today.

www.thedrive.com

 

[Terran]

The Space Force has been in the works since the 1990s. This is a relatively recent PLA program but not unforeseen. Like the X37B the likely function is as a flying test bed.
If you wanted a potential push for a Space Force and worry about space warfare that would be “Inspection satellites” Russia Has Four Potential "Killer Satellites" In Orbit, At Least That We Know About

 

[Feanor]

The Space Force has been in the works since the 1990s. This is a relatively recent PLA program but not unforeseen. Like the X37B the likely function is as a flying test bed.
If you wanted a potential push for a Space Force and worry about space warfare that would be “Inspection satellites” Russia Has Four Potential "Killer Satellites" In Orbit, At Least That We Know About

That's relatively benign compared to Soviet plans for orbital battle stations with cannons and missiles for taking out enemy satellites and spacecraft. They even test-fired a 23mm autocannon in space. Look into the Almaz and Polyus projects. They were working on space-space missiles, anti-satellite space-based lasers, etc. Compared to that Russian current experiments with reviving Krona, some inspector satellites (likely relatively short lived ones) and future ground-based ASAT are relatively tame.

 

[Terran]

True and on the other side the US MOL and Almaz both actually were aimed at and did serve as spy stations. With various US concepts like Project Thor and the Rods from God. The whole of the Strategic Defense Initiative could easily be classed as Space war as does ASAT programs. So launching Space Force now only seems to have relevance as today you have the potential to move them from the theory to practical. Perhaps it’s time to open a dedicated Space Force thread.

 

[Masquerader]

The CSSHQ spaceplane has conducted two additional orbital flights, the most recent on December 14, 2023. Last May, it ejected an unknown payload into orbit, possibly a subsatellite system.

China’s secretive spaceplane releases object into orbit

China’s experimental reusable spacecraft has released an unknown object into orbit while conducting its third mission.

spacenews.com

China’s spaceplane raises orbit and national funding

A spaceplane launched by China in August has performed an orbit-raising maneuver and recently secured new funding to promote new modes of transportation.

spacenews.com

China launches mystery reusable spaceplane for third time

China launched its experimental reusable spacecraft for the third time Thursday while maintaining strict secrecy around the mission.

spacenews.com