China launches its spacecraft again; the fourth attempt remains hidden.

China launches another reusable space shuttle "Shenlong"

*February 7, 2026, 06:55 (MSK)*

From the Jiuquan launch site in north‑west Gansu province, located on the Gobi Desert, the Changzheng‑2F carrier rocket lifted off. It carried the Shenlong – a reusable space shuttle that is now completing its fourth mission.

What is this vehicle?
Parameter Description
Length ≈ 10 m
Wing span up to 6 m
Height up to 3 m
Mass ≤ 12 t
Orbital duration months, sometimes even a year

Shenlong looks like the American X‑37B, but its dimensions slightly exceed the analogue. After the mission the shuttle returns to Earth and lands on a conventional runway, making operations more economical.

Mission objective
Xinhua reports that the launch aims to test reusable spacecraft technologies. This is part of China’s strategy to support peaceful space exploration. Specific data on flight duration, orbit, and experiments are not disclosed – typical for most Chinese space programs.

Program history
Month/Year Event
September 2020 First launch; the shuttle spent only two days in space.
August 2022 Second launch; the vehicle returned after 276 days in orbit (May 2023).
December 2023 – September 2024 Third flight, lasting 268 days.

All tests were conducted from the Jiuquan site using the Changzheng‑2F rocket. Successful returns confirm progress in reusable technology.

What’s happening outside China?
Country Project
USA Dream Chaser (Sierra Space) – a space “airplane”; production delays and the ULA Vulcan Centaur rocket, first mission expected this year. NASA declined to send Dream Chaser to the ISS.
France Developing its own space plane.
Russia Only a theoretical concept has been developed so far; implementation may be possible in the future if adapted to modern requirements.

Conclusion
The Shenlong launch confirms the successful evolution of China’s reusable spacecraft program and demonstrates growing competition in the global space technology market.