China has once again proven its right to be a part of the space superpowers club. It looks like Beijing has been developing its own reusable robotic drone for several years and has already had some success.

The device, dubbed Shenlong (“Divine Dragon”), recently completed its second test flight, spending 276 days in orbit. This was unexpectedly reported by the Xinhua agency. The information was verified by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

At the same time, details about the mission, spacecraft and operations carried out during the experimental flight, which lasted about a year, were not disclosed.

Earlier, it was known about the Chinese device Chongfu Shiyong Shiyong Hangtian Qi (CSSHQ), which was tested in September 2020. Journalists believe Shenlong is CSSHQ-2, which has reportedly landed successfully.

The American magazine SpaceNews analyzed all available information about this mission and summarized the work of CCSHQ.

It has been reported that the spacecraft made numerous orbital maneuvers during its flight and adjustments have been made in recent weeks in preparation for its return. The landing probably took place at the Lop Nur military base in Xinjiang.

In August 2022, this device launched a small satellite into orbit in 90 days of flight. Its nature and purpose are unknown. Tracking data obtained by the United States Space Force (USSF) showed that the spacecraft, somewhat similar to the Boeing X-37B, remained in close proximity for a long time.

All of this is believed to be part of a Chinese program to build a superheavy launch system similar to SpaceX’s. The concept blueprint of the launch vehicle was submitted by China in April 2021.

Beijing is also developing another reusable spaceplane known as Tengyun (“Cloud Driver”). Its concept was shown at Airshow China in 2021. Judging by the demo, the vehicle will be part of a two-stage launch system based on the launch vehicle (similar to how Virgin Galactic works).