Preamble:
With the continuous progress of space technology, countries have increased their investment in the space field, and the trend of space militarization has become increasingly apparent. At the same time, the American X-37B also carried out an operation to lower the orbit 4 days ago, and the dynamics of the two are almost synchronous. This "coincidence" naturally sparked speculation from the outside world, and what exactly China's aerospace aircraft and the American X-37B were used for became the focus of everyone's attention.
1. China's aerospace aircraft was successfully upgraded
From October 23 to 24, China's aerospace aircraft successfully conducted an orbit ascent test, with an altitude of nearly 250 kilometers. It is reported that this is the first time that China's aerospace aircraft has carried out a lifting and lowering orbit operation, and it is also a verification of its orbital maneuvering ability.
China's aerospace aircraft are launched using the CZ-2F launch vehicle, which can maneuver and change orbits in space through its own onboard fuel and engines, which also lays the foundation for its future diversified missions.
2. U.S. X-37B orbit lowering operation
Just before China's aerospace aircraft underwent orbit ascent tests, the U.S. X-37B underwent an orbit descent operation four days ago and successfully returned to Earth orbit. This is the fifth flight of the X-37B, and the true purpose of its mission has not been revealed.
The X-37B, like China's aerospace aircraft, is a small version of the space shuttle that can perform a variety of missions in space and has a certain reusability capability.
3. Speculation on the use of Chinese aerospace aircraft and X-37B
While both the Chinese aerospace aircraft and the X-37B have carried out orbital operations, the exact nature and purpose of their missions remains a mystery. Some netizens have speculated about its use based on its flight trajectory and the application of some advanced technologies.
China's aerospace aircraft and X-37B are likely to be used for reconnaissance purposes, with on-board optical or infrared sensors that allow high-definition observation of ground targets, and orbital lifts and falls to increase the resolution of observations.
The X-37B may also carry lasers or other anti-satellite weapons to monitor or jam other satellites, and its orbit may be lowered to better perform anti-satellite missions.
Fourth, China's Tengyun project or the use of scramjet engine
There are also some new speculations about China's aerospace aircraft. Some experts say that China's Tengyun project may be a real aerospace aircraft, consisting of a first-class aircraft and a second-class aircraft.
The first stage can take off horizontally, accelerate to hypersonic speed, and hump the second stage into the air, and then use the air-breathing engine to release the second stage in a hypersonic and high-altitude environment.
To do this, the first stage of the vehicle must have excellent dynamic performance, and it is expected to be powered by scramjet, detonation or pre-cooled turborocket engines.
Among the many power schemes, the pre-cooled turborocket engine has the best performance, which can go directly into space from zero speed, which is also the most promising engine direction for future aerospace aircraft.
Epilogue:
Neither China's aerospace aircraft nor the American X-37B's true mission purpose has been disclosed, so the outside world's conjecture is only at the stage of conjecture. What is certain is that the trend of militarization of space has become very obvious, and all countries are deploying and competing in space.
It is hoped that in the future, space technology can truly benefit all mankind and not become a tool for some countries to pursue their own interests.