Chinese reusable experimental spacecraft Archives - SpaceNews

The Long March 2F carrying the uncrewed Shenzhou-22 spacecraft climbs into a blue sky above Jiuquan spaceport, Nov. 25, 2025.

Chinese spaceplane releases object into orbit, according to commercial space surveillance

by Andrew Jones June 22, 2026June 22, 2026

China’s secretive spaceplane has released an object into orbit during its ongoing fourth mission, according to space surveillance firm LeoLabs.

Liftoff of the Long March 2F carrying Shenzhou-12 at 9:22 p.m. Eastern, June 16, 2021.

China launches reusable spaceplane on fourth secretive orbital mission

by Andrew Jones February 7, 2026February 7, 2026

China’s secretive reusable spaceplane lands after 267 days in orbit

by Andrew Jones September 6, 2024September 6, 2024

Liftoff of the Long March 2F carrying Shenzhou-12 at 9:22 p.m. Eastern, June 16, 2021.

China’s secretive spaceplane conducts proximity operations with small spacecraft

by Andrew Jones June 13, 2024June 13, 2024

A Long March 2F carrying Shenzhou-13 rising against the backdrop of the moon on Oct. 15, 2021.

China’s secretive spaceplane releases object into orbit

by Andrew Jones May 26, 2024May 26, 2024

A Long March 2F carrying Shenzhou-13 rising against the backdrop of the moon on Oct. 15, 2021.

China’s secretive spaceplane raises its orbit, but yet to deploy satellites

by Andrew Jones January 31, 2024January 31, 2024

Liftoff of the Long March 2F carrying Shenzhou-12 at 9:22 p.m. Eastern, June 16, 2021.

China launches mystery reusable spaceplane for third time

by Andrew Jones December 14, 2023December 15, 2023

China’s spaceplane conducted proximity and capture maneuvers with subsatellite, data suggests

by Andrew Jones May 11, 2023May 11, 2023

Civil, Military, News

China’s mystery spaceplane releases object into orbit

by Andrew Jones November 2, 2022February 22, 2023

A view of the Jiuquan launch center from the Sentinel-2 satellite. China's reusable experimental spacecraft launched from the facility Sept. 4.

Civil, Military, News

China’s spaceplane raises orbit and national funding

by Andrew Jones October 25, 2022February 22, 2023

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