The space plane, which sounds like a concept in science fiction, has recently become the focus of a new round of competition between China and the United States. This kind of vehicle, which can freely shuttle between space and the atmosphere, not only has superb maneuverability and stealth, but also can perform a variety of military and civilian missions, and is considered a sharp weapon for future space warfare. However, this kind of high-tech ** project has challenged the technological superiority that the United States has always prided.
According to the "Global Times", the head of the US Space Operations Department, Admiral Bradley Chance Saltzman, revealed in a recent interview that China sent a spaceplane similar to the US X-37B on December 14 last year, which was almost the same time as the launch time of the United States, which surprised him very much. He even wondered if it was a deliberate signal of China's ambitions and progress in space.
The U.S. X-37B spaceplane is an unmanned, reusable space vehicle jointly developed by the U.S. Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and first launched in 2010. The shape of the aircraft resembles a miniature version of the space shuttle, and it is about 8 percent long8 meters, wingspan about 45 meters, weighing about 5 tons, can carry a variety of experimental equipment and systems. The aircraft's greatest feature is its ability to stay in space for long periods of time, the longest of which reached 780 days, and then autonomously return to the ground for maintenance and reuse.
The United States has always maintained a high degree of secrecy about the specific mission and purpose of the X-37B, except for the official claim that it is a platform used to conduct space science experiments and technical verification. However, there is widespread suspicion that the real purpose of the United States is to use the X-37B to conduct military operations such as space reconnaissance, anti-satellite, and space strikes in order to maintain its superiority and hegemony in the space field.
China's reusable test spacecraft, according to Xinhua News Agency, is a spaceplane with a "flying wing" layout that can achieve horizontal take-off and landing and rapid reflight, with high reliability and safety, as well as low operating costs. The main purpose of the aircraft is to verify reusable technology and carry out space science experiments, and to provide technical support for China's future space transportation system.
China's space shuttle program began in 2007 and finally made a breakthrough last year after years of research and development and testing. This is also another major achievement of China in the field of space, following the Chang'e lunar exploration, Beidou navigation, Tiangong space station, etc., demonstrating China's space innovation capability and development potential.
The simultaneous launch of the space plane program between China and the United States has undoubtedly aroused widespread attention and discussion in the international community. Some Western ** and experts even see it as the beginning of a new arms race in space, fearing that it will intensify the militarization and confrontation of space and threaten the peace and security of space.
However, such fears and accusations are clearly unfounded. First of all, the spaceplane is not a technology exclusive to the United States, and other countries also have the right and ability to conduct relevant research and development, which is a normal kind of scientific and technological innovation and exploration, and should not be subject to any interference or restrictions. Secondly, the spaceplane is not necessarily an offensive **, it can also be used for peaceful purposes such as conducting space science experiments, resource development, space exploration, etc., it is a tool for the benefit of human well-being and progress and should not be abused and misused. Finally, the development of the spaceplane does not mean that space is unstable and dangerous, on the contrary, it can also promote cooperation and win-win in space, which is a force conducive to maintaining space order and rules, and should not be ignored and excluded.
Therefore, we believe that the competition between China and the United States in the space plane program should not be over-interpreted and exaggerated, let alone hostile and confrontational. On the contrary, we should look at this phenomenon from a positive and open perspective, and use it as an opportunity to promote space technology innovation and cooperation in the field of space, jointly promote the development and progress of the space industry, and contribute to the future and well-being of mankind.