Sino-US satellites** Whether a dark war in space has broken out
On August 5, 2022, China successfully launched the Shenlong Aerospace Aircraft at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, marking a new milestone in the Tengyun project. Shenlong Aerospace Aircraft has the unique ability to glide and land in the atmosphere, but also fly in space, achieving multiple round-trips to the Earth's low orbit. Its flexibility and versatility make one wonder whether the U.S.-China space race is entering a new phase.
Since its launch in 1986, the Tengyun Project has been committed to the development of an air-space shuttle that can take off horizontally, land horizontally, and be reused many times. As a representative of this project, the Shenlong Aerospace Aircraft recently took off again, demonstrating its ambition for space exploration.
Compared with the traditional space shuttle, the Shenlong is similar in appearance, but there are obvious differences in functions, uses, launch methods, and power systems. It is more flexible in its launch, and its use not only includes space exploration, but also for the transportation of goods or personnel, and even for reconnaissance, long-range strikes and bombing, showing a wider range of applications.
Previously, the U.S. X-37B aerospace aircraft has performed several test flights, not only breaking flight time records, but also demonstrating the ability to control, capture and destroy other spacecraft and satellites. This has sparked speculation about whether a dark war in space has already broken out.
Since the successful first test flight of China's Shenlong Aerospace Aircraft in 2020, the road of space exploration has been continuously advanced. The latest test flight has shown that it is maneuverable, and it is expected to perform in the space race. Shenlong is designed to achieve a maximum stay time of 800 days and has the ability to change orbits at ultra-high speeds.
With the second test flight of Shenlong, the Sino-US space race has entered a new chapter. Space is no longer a quiet uncharted territory, but a stage for nations to compete. For Shenlong's future exploration journey, we look forward to and wish it all the success of all its test goals.