SpaceX Foils US Plan to Beat China in Secret Space Plane Launch

China has launched its reusable space plane, Shenlong, for the third time. The spacecraft, which conducts space science experiments and provides technical support for the peaceful use of space, was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The launch comes just seven months after the spacecraft's last mission, a much quicker follow-up compared to previous launches. The timing of the launch coincided with the delay of the US Space Force's X-37B reusable space plane launch. Both China and the US are interested in each other's space planes, as they offer the capability to put something in orbit, perform tasks, and return with results.