China has discreetly launched its secretive space plane into orbit for the fourth time, leaving security analysts speculating about what the enigmatic craft is undertaking above Earth.<\/p>\n
The reusable vehicle – dubbed Shenlong, translating as ‘Divine Dragon’ – lifted off earlier this month from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China aboard a Long March\u20102F rocket.<\/p>\n
Beyond that, Beijing has maintained relative silence regarding the craft’s fourth documented mission. No information has been provided on its orbital duration, payload, or planned experiments.<\/p>\n
Authorities have merely stated that the programme aims to test technology to develop “more convenient and affordable round\u2010trip methods for the peaceful use of space” in the future, according to Chinese state media.<\/p>\n
No official photographs or technical details have ever been disclosed by the Chinese government, meaning the secrecy forces external observers to piece together fragments from orbital tracking information and amateur sightings.<\/p>\n
Shenlong is believed to be comparable in design to the US military’s X\u201037B – an autonomous mini\u2010shuttle capable of altering orbits, remaining aloft for months, and returning equipment to Earth.<\/p>\n
Unlike the American X-37B, Shenlong has been spotted deploying ‘wingman’ satellites into orbit before manoeuvring back to dock with or retrieve them.<\/p>\n
Earlier operations have varied from several days to beyond eight months, indicating substantial stamina and adaptability.<\/p>\n