The current developments in space exploration are propelled by international cooperation and essential support from the private space sector. China has emerged as a major power in space and is now a significant competitor with NASA’s human space programs. China has been developing a reusable autonomous space plane called Shenlong to rival the US’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle. The Chinese spaceplane, known as Chongfu Shiyong Shiyan Hangtian Qi (CSSHQ), recently concluded its second test flight after spending 276 days in orbit. The details of China’s space plane program have remained shrouded in mystery since its inception.CSSHQ-1, the first test flight … Continue reading China Secretively Emerging as a Major Space Power with Successful Space Plane Test Flight