By 
February 7th, 2026
Imagery of China’s space plane on its third flight was caught on camera by Felix Schöfbänker in Upper Austria.
Image credit: Felix Schöfbänker
China has lofted a reusable experimental spacecraft on Saturday via a Long March-2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
This mission by China reportedly marks the fourth flight related to harnessing reusable spacecraft technology – similar in nature to the U.S. Space Force X-37B program.
As reported by the state-run China Daily, a first orbital test of a trial vehicle occurred in September 2020 with the vehicle staying in Earth orbit for just under two days.
A second test started in August 2022 and the spaceplane stayed in the Earth’s orbit for 276 days before landing in May 2023.
The third space plane was launched in December 2023 and lasted 268 days before returning in September 2024.
China’s Xinhua news agency stated that “the experimental spacecraft will conduct planned technical verification of reusable spacecraft technology, providing technical support for the peaceful use of space.”
Several in-space cameras have imaged China’s reusable space plane. Shown here was image taken by Maxar Intelligence, now Vantor, space asset.
Image credit: DutchSpace posting
Posted in Space News
