A space plane from China?
The images don’t provide much information, and most of the article is empty speculation. Nonetheless, China is building something.
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The images don’t provide much information, and most of the article is empty speculation. Nonetheless, China is building something.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Interesting…I remember seeing that photo in Aviation Week several years ago accompanied by similar speculation. Not sure what’s changed since then? It did give me ideas of what to use as motivations for my behind-the-scenes antagonists in “Perigee”.
The Chinese are wading into our territory in a number of ways: stealth technology, ASAT capabilities…I don’t know that we should consider them a direct threat to our interests (yet) but they’re certainly an indirect one.
I just do not see a practical application for this vehicle.
Any spy equipment that I can think of would be easier and cheaper to place in orbit with a conventional craft/satellite. The same with any weapon. Just no need.
Even as a test bed its just not a good size.
As a propaganda piece it will not get good US airplay thus fall short of its goal. Unless its only for internal consumption then it will work well on the Chinese people. They need a reason to feel good.