New image of China's secret space plane shows delta-wing design

While that mysterious Chinese space plane rolled to full stop on a landing strip earlier this month, little is known about the craft.

It was hurled into orbit on Dec. 14, 2023 atop a Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

The whatever it is and does spacecraft touched down after 268 days of in-orbit operation, making its touchdown on Sept. 6, 2024.

Growing maturity

"Its mission was to conduct reusable technology verification and space science experiments to provide technical support for the peaceful use of space," explained the state-run China Global Television Network (CGTN). "This achievement underscores the growing maturity of China's reusable spacecraft technology, paving the way for more convenient and cost-effective space travel for peaceful purposes in the future."

CGTN also noted that China had launched reusable experimental spacecraft in September 2020 and August 2022, which respectively spent two days and 276 days in orbit "before returning to their designated landing sites."

Delta-wing design

While the recent space plane flight was underway, space watcher veteran Felix Schöfbänker in Upper Austria took imagery of the craft.

In a recent posting, Schöfbänker reported he has imagery taken Aug. 10 of the Chinese space plane which shows a delta-wing design, captured when the craft turned 180 degrees since an earlier observation he made on July 30.

The dark spot between the wings could possibly be the cargo bay, Schöfbänker suggests.

Meanwhile, still circling the Earth is the U.S. Space Force X-37B. It has been on an equally mysterious sojourn since its launch on Dec. 29, 2023. It is now 267 days into its secretive mission.