China's Shenlong space plane returns on 4th mission, its purpose still unclear

China’s Shenlong, a robotic reusable space plane, launched its fourth orbital mission from Jiuquan on Feb. 6. Details remain scarce, but analysts say the mission likely tests technologies for future reusable space access and has conducted rendezvous/proximity operations with deployed satellites, a capability likened to the U.S. X-37B. Experts caution about the anti-satellite implications, though the exact payloads and objectives are not disclosed.