Does China's Military Have it's Own Version Of The U.S. X-37B?

A close-up of China's robotic Shenlong space plane prototype tucked beneath a Chinese H-6 bomber for glide testing in December 2007. Chinese Internet

Analysts Keep Close Eye On China's Mystery Space Plane -- NBC.com/Space.com

Nature of Shenlong project, and what the robot vehicle truly represents, remain sketchy.

As the next secretive flight of the U.S. Air Force's robotic X-37B mini-shuttle draws closer, analysts are keeping a close eye on China’s own potential space plane, the Shenlong.

Last year several Chinese media outlets reported a test flight of the Shenlong space plane that apparently included its airdrop from an H-6 bomber. But the nature of the Shenlong project's testing, as well as what the robot vehicle truly represents, remains sketchy.

Several China watchers in the U.S. have taken a stab at what the Shenlong (Mandarin for "Divine Dragon) might mean, with some experts conjecturing that the craft is simply a tit-for-tat response to the unmanned X-37B space plane.

Read more ....

My Comment: Makes you wonder if the U.S. Air Force unmanned X-37B space plane's secrets were leaked to the Chinese.

U.S. Intelligence: China To Conduct Anti-Satellite Weapon Test

China To Shoot At High Frontier -- Bill Gertz, Washington Free Beacon

U.S. Intelligence: China to conduct test of more powerful anti-satellite weapon capable of hitting GPS, spy satellites, but after U.S. election.

China’s military is set to conduct a test of a new and more capable anti-satellite missile that United States intelligence agencies say can knock out strategic satellites in high-earth orbit, according to U.S. officials.

However, a recent intelligence assessment said the test of the Dong Ning-2 direct ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon is being delayed in an apparent effort to avoid upsetting President Barack Obama’s reelection bid, said officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Read more ....

Update: China to test new anti-satellite weapon: report -- Taipei Times

My Comment: I am doubtful of the Washington Free Beacon's assertion that the Chinese are delaying their anti-satellite test to help President Obama win re-election .... my impression of the Chinese through all of my years of going there, living there, knowing many Chinese friends .... is that they do not care what happens in a U.S. election cycle. But the Chinese space program is ongoing, and it is their military that is calling the shots. Will they conduct an anti-satellite test .... I guess we will find out in the next few months ... but I would not be surprised.