Secret Chinese spacecraft captured in amateur photos
Felix Schöfbänker, an amateur space photographer, unexpectedly captured a top secret Chinese spacecraft on camera. We still don’t know what this craft is doing in space.
Schöfbänker uses a 14-inch telescope setup and image rendering software for his expensive hobby. China’s mysterious Shenlong spacecraft launched on December 14, 2023, and no one yet knows exactly what it’s doing in space or how long it will remain in Earth’s orbit.
In Schöfbänker’s material, two protruding elements can be seen, which were not present in previous renders and other materials devoted to the secret Chinese unit. According to experts, it is possible that these are retractable solar panels, although there is still no 100 percent certainty.
Caught a glimpse of China’s secretive space plane orbiting Earth? Felix Schöfbänker’s images reveal a space plane that’s stealthier than a ninja and about as transparent as a black hole. Why are China’s space missions so shrouded in secrecy? 1/2 @HKokbore@SolomonYue@gfl_david pic.twitter.com/s2sEd929aW
— Bapak ahmed suryanto (@bapak7189) August 6, 2024
This refers to a vehicle with a design and dimensions similar to the American Boeing X-37, a small space shuttle (about 9 m long, it is the one in the photos in the text), which has also been in Earth orbit since December 29, 2023. It is worth adding that the American mission is as secret as the Chinese one, but it is the Chinese who are much more feared by commentators.
