A mysterious Chinese space glider successfully lands

The new spacecraft has been in space for more than 276 days. There are no photos of the flying object. The glider must use space for the “peaceful use” of the universe.

With a 276-day space journey, China has tested a mysterious new multi-purpose spacecraft. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) said in a statement on Tuesday that the spacecraft successfully returned to Earth on Monday. The prime contractor for China’s space program has spoken of a “complete success” and “significant breakthrough” in research into reusable space technology.

In the future, she added, there will be “a more practical and less expensive way of peaceful use of space.” No other details were provided. The space glider was launched on December 4, 2022 by a “Long March 2F” rocket from Jiuquan Cosmodrome in the Gobi Desert. Foreign experts reported that it deployed a small operating satellite in close proximity to the spacecraft.

It may resemble Boeing X-27B

Where the spacecraft will land has not been disclosed. However, based on the trajectory and activities on the ground, foreign experts assume that the landing took place at the Lop Nur military base in western China. It was the second test of the mysterious spaceship. There was already a four-day trek in 2020 and not much was known about it. There are no pictures of the new space glider yet. But experts suspect it may resemble the US Air Force’s Boeing X-27B in size and design.

(APA/DSPA)