Is it a weapon?

China’s robo space shuttle puzzles experts

The Chinese "Shenlong" spacecraft is reminiscent of Boeing's X-37B space drone - shown here in an archive photo from 2017.

(Bild: AFP )

An unmanned Chinese spacecraft resembling a mini space shuttle recently reached orbit for the third time. It was under observation. People in the USA followed the experiments - and were amazed when the spacecraft released an object and picked it up again. Experts suspect it could be a weapon.

Little is known about the Chinese reusable spacecraft, which went into orbit for its third test flight in June. Christened "Shenlong" - a Chinese deity in the shape of a blue dragon - by observers, the spacecraft released objects in orbit, orbited them and then collected them again. At first glance, it sounds like a tool for satellite maintenance. But it could also serve a military purpose, experts speak of a possible "dual use".