Veteran space observer Felix Schöfbänker, based in the Austrian state of Upper Austria, this week spotted the mysterious Chinese spaceplane hovering in Earth’s orbit.
The aircraft, which was launched on December 14 last year by the Long March 2F, is circling the planet for the third time.
And, Schöfbänker noted, the vehicle recently lowered its orbit to about 350 kilometers above Earth.
Image: reproduction/Felix Schöfbänker
For those who don’t remember, the Long March 2F rocket was responsible for the third launch carried out in 2023 by China.
At the time, the Xinhua News Agency, controlled by the Chinese government itself, reported that the space plane aboard the Long March would have been used to conduct scientific experiments, as well as technical support for the peaceful use of space – although official details were not released.
Chinese spaceplane spotted by Schöfbänker
The telescope used by Schöfbänker to capture images of the Chinese space plane is no ordinary piece of equipment.
Equipped with a 14-inch mirror and several attached gadgets, the device was improved to have the ability to automatically track satellites, keeping the “monitored” object always in the center of the field of vision.
“I get these images by recording video during the flyby and then stacking and enhancing the best frames,” Schöfbänker explained to Space.com.
Image shows different angles of the Chinese space plane. Image: reproduction/Felix Schöfbänker
The images are not very clear, but it is possible to see two “stems” which, the expert points out, are not available in previously rendered images published online.
“I’m not sure if they’re solar panels or some other feature, like an antenna or something,” he said in the same interview with Space.com.
According to Schöfbänker, the Chinese spaceplane appears to be about 10 meters long, making it longer than the Boeing X-37B.
This space plane, in turn, is operated by the US Space Force and was also launched in December 2023, on a secret mission.
However, the expert emphasizes that there may be room for error, since “the angle at which the plane is illuminated can hide certain features,” he said.
