Podcast Episode
The spacecraft, informally known as Shenlong, bears strong similarities to the US Space Force's X-37B orbital test vehicle. However, Chinese authorities have released remarkably few details about the programme. No official images of the spacecraft have ever been published, and heightened security around launch operations has prevented even bystander photographs from surfacing on social media.
During its orbital flights, the spacecraft has released multiple small objects believed to be satellites or monitoring devices and has conducted rendezvous and proximity operations, capabilities that carry both civilian and military implications.
China's 2026 space agenda is particularly ambitious, including the Chang'e-7 lunar south pole mission in August, an uncrewed test flight of the next-generation Mengzhou spacecraft designed for future lunar missions, the Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return mission, and the launch of the Xuntian space telescope. The reusable spacecraft programme represents just one element of Beijing's rapidly expanding space capabilities.
China Sends Secretive Reusable Spaceplane on Fourth Orbital Mission
February 7, 2026
Audio archived. Episodes older than 60 days are removed to save server storage. Story details remain below.
China has launched its mysterious reusable experimental spacecraft for a fourth time, lifting off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center aboard a Long March 2F rocket. The spaceplane, often compared to the US Air Force's X-37B, has been shrouded in secrecy with no official images ever released.
China's Secretive Spaceplane Returns to Orbit
China successfully launched its reusable experimental spacecraft on Saturday, marking the fourth orbital mission for one of the country's most secretive space programmes. The vehicle lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert aboard a Long March 2F carrier rocket.The spacecraft, informally known as Shenlong, bears strong similarities to the US Space Force's X-37B orbital test vehicle. However, Chinese authorities have released remarkably few details about the programme. No official images of the spacecraft have ever been published, and heightened security around launch operations has prevented even bystander photographs from surfacing on social media.
Growing Capabilities
Each successive mission has demonstrated increasing endurance. The inaugural flight in September 2020 lasted just two days. The second mission, launched in August 2022, remained in orbit for 276 days before returning in May 2023. The third mission, beginning in December 2023, spent 266 days in space before landing in September 2024.During its orbital flights, the spacecraft has released multiple small objects believed to be satellites or monitoring devices and has conducted rendezvous and proximity operations, capabilities that carry both civilian and military implications.
A Packed Space Calendar
Saturday's launch was the ninth Chinese mission of 2026 and the 630th for the Long March rocket family. Following this mission, the Jiuquan launch facilities will pivot to upcoming crewed Shenzhou missions to the Tiangong space station.China's 2026 space agenda is particularly ambitious, including the Chang'e-7 lunar south pole mission in August, an uncrewed test flight of the next-generation Mengzhou spacecraft designed for future lunar missions, the Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return mission, and the launch of the Xuntian space telescope. The reusable spacecraft programme represents just one element of Beijing's rapidly expanding space capabilities.
Published February 7, 2026 at 9:24pm