The re-launch of the X-37B, a secret U.S. space vehicle, has attracted widespread attention, which may signal the U.S. plan to build a "nuclear bomb base" in space. The X-37B is not an ordinary spacecraft, but a special type of vehicle known as a "spaceplane", which, despite its small size and take-off weight of only about 5 tons, has a spacious cargo bay that can carry a variety of test equipment. Judging by the fact that the United States has repeatedly launched and tested the X-37B, this aircraft may play the role of a "space fighter" in the future. In addition, the return process of the X-37B is extremely mysterious, and the United States has never disclosed relevant information, and the outside world can only confirm the movement of the X-37B through airspace bans and changes in information on the aircraft in orbit. Now, the X-37B is about to go into space again, and its mission has provoked speculation. Amid speculation about the purpose of the X-37B's launch, the United States** said that the flight would conduct a "breakthrough" experiment to enhance the U.S. space combat capability.
The launch sparked much speculation, and the chief of operations of the US Space Force submitted a statement saying that the US space system is facing various threats, and the joint force is also threatened by the enemy's space-based system. Prior to this, the Pentagon used the X-37B to test a number of new technologies, including converting solar energy into microwaves, which means that energy from space could one day be transmitted back to Earth. The X-37B has also been used to deploy small satellites, and this information certainly adds to the mystery of the X-37B's mission. There is an opinion that the X-37B has a high probability of becoming a "nuclear bomb base" for the United States in space. Russian experts speculate that by 2025, the United States will be armed with eight X-37Bs, each capable of carrying six nuclear warheads. Some experts said that in the past, the X-37B gave people the impression that it could "do anything", and this experiment is very likely to demonstrate the ability to approach other countries' spacecraft in high orbit. The first launch of the U.S. X-37B spaceplane on a Falcon Heavy rocket may involve surveillance of other countries' satellites. The peculiarity of this launch was the adoption of the Falcon Heavy rocket for the first time.
The X-37B previously operated mainly in low-earth orbit at a distance of 110-500 miles above the ground, while the Falcon Heavy rocket could deliver loads weighing more than the X-37B to more than 2 miles above the ground20,000 miles in geosynchronous orbit. This means that the X-37B may perform missions in higher orbits, which may involve verifying its ability to monitor and approach satellites of other countries. The X-37B's dwell time in orbit continues to grow, from 224 days to 908 days most recently, suggesting that the U.S. military has been improving the X-37B's performance and is clearly preparing for a larger purpose. The X-37B's orbit change capabilities, precision maneuvering capabilities, and the ability to carry multiple mission payloads allow it to approach opposing spacecraft and use other means to throw them out of control. Therefore, all countries must be vigilant about this. China is also developing reusable space vehicles and has successfully conducted a number of tests, including a successful return to the intended landing site in May this year.
China's "Aerospace Aircraft" has been in orbit for the first time for 276 days, which is longer than the X-37B's first orbit time of 224 days, which shows the advanced performance and design of the Chinese version of the "Aerospace Aircraft". However, we must also admit that the X-37B has made considerable progress on the original foundation, so we still need to continue to work on it. China's aerospace transport vehicle is moving towards a more robust development path, compared with the X-37B, which is mainly promoted by the United States. Starting in 2020, China began testing reusable spacecraft and suborbital launch vehicles. In addition, China showcased a model of the Tengyun air-space transport system at the Zhuhai Airshow as part of China's own "space-spacecraft". However, there are fundamental differences in the nature of these two types of aircraft. A number of spacecraft projects in the field of space transport were forced to abort due to funding problems, while the X-37B survived. This is mainly due to its enormous military potential, and the subsequent missions are also more of a strong military color, undertaking highly classified military-technical testing missions in space.
In contrast, China's "aerospace aircraft" are more focused on providing a more convenient way to travel to and from the peaceful use of space. Perhaps the biggest difference between the two countries is that the purpose of using space is fundamentally different between the "space planes" of China and the United States. What do you know or think about the "aerospace aircraft" currently being developed by China and the United States?Feel free to leave your thoughts and stories in the comment area.