China’s Spaceplane Mission: Know All Key Details and Its Significance Here

China's space program has been making headlines in recent years, and their ambitious spaceplane missions stand as a testament to their rapid advancements. Recently, on 14 December 2023, China launched its third spaceplane mission where it deployed six mysterious ‘wingmen’ into the Earth’s orbit, according to media reports.

The uncrewed spacecraft was launched on a Long March 2F rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The spacecraft will return to a designated landing site in China after a period of time. These reusable spacecraft, shrouded in a veil of secrecy, are pushing the boundaries of technology and raising questions about their ultimate purpose.

Let us first understand what is a spaceplane.

What is a spaceplane?

A spaceplane is a hybrid vehicle that combines the capabilities of both an aircraft and a spacecraft. It can fly and glide like an airplane within Earth's atmosphere, but it also has the power and heat shielding necessary to reach orbit and manoeuvre in space like a spacecraft.

Now, let's take a closer look at China’s spaceplane missions and explore the potential for India's spaceplane endeavours.

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China’s Spaceplane Missions: Brief

In 2020, the world witnessed the first test flight of the Shenlong, Chinese for ‘Divine Dragon’, spaceplane mission. These reusable spacecraft have been developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The first two-day mission of Shenlong marked a significant milestone for China's space program, showcasing its ability to develop and launch reusable spacecraft. The Shenlong’s payload capacity and purpose are unknown, but possibilities are infinite.

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Timeline

Mission 1 (September 2020): A brief two-day flight, serving as a successful initial test.

Mission 2 (August 2022 - May 2023): A significant leap, lasting an impressive 276 days, demonstrating the Shenlong's endurance.

Mission 3 (December 2023 - Ongoing): The latest mission, currently underway, deployed six mysterious objects nicknamed "OBJECT A through F" by the US Space Force, further fueling speculation about the program's goals.

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Significance, Capabilities and Applications

While the exact details remain under wraps, the spaceplane missions by China have been capable of demonstrating:

Orbital Maneuvering: Changing its altitude and inclination within Earth's orbit. Capability of positioning a craft in different orbits in a single mission.

Hypersonic Re-entry: Withstanding the scorching temperatures of re-entry and gliding to a controlled landing.

Satellite deployment to scientific experiments: Capability for on-orbit science and military-related experiments in space.

Sub-satellites launch: Smaller spacecraft released for specific tasks.

Satellite Swarm Technology: A potentially game-changing technology for space-based communication and surveillance.

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India's Spaceplane Ambitions: AVATAR

With the now-shelved AVATAR (Aerobic Vehicle for Hypersonic Aerospace Transportation) project, India has also dabbled in the world of spaceplanes. This proposed spaceplane aimed to provide low-cost satellite launches for military and commercial purposes. While AVATAR remains on hold, the growing prominence of spaceplane technology globally could reignite India's interest in this field.

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