China tests reusable spacecraft in secretive ‘star wars’ programme
On 4 September China successfully tested in space a new ‘reusable experimental spacecraft’, nomenclature unknown, after launching it from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Inner Mongolia.
A Long March 2F rocket carried the spacecraft into a low Earth orbit at an altitude of 350km, though the purpose of the mission remains shrouded in mystery. Indeed, strict security measures were tightened even further and launch centre staff were warned beforehand not to take imagery of the spacecraft, such was the classified nature of the mission.
State-run news agency Xinhua merely reported: ‘After a period of in-orbit operation, the spacecraft will
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