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China has released very few details about the space plane it is developing, not even a single simulation or diagram explaining its shape. The above illustration shows a simulation of the Rockwell X-30 space plane, which was canceled in 1993. Source: James Schultz, NASA.

China is developing a multipurpose space plane that will be launched for the first time in 2020

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Simulation of the space plane during the launch. You can see on top of it the upper rocket stage whose function is to bring the launched cargo to the final orbit around the earth, while the plane itself does not enter the orbit but returns to the ground and landed on a landing strip. Source: Boeing rendering.

Meet the "Phantom Express": a space plane that can take off again within 24 hours

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The X-37B space plane, yesterday at the Kennedy Space Center, after returning from a 718-day stay in space. Source: US Air Force courtesy photo.

The secret United States space plane has landed after 718 days in space

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In the eye of the artist: the Skylon space plane orbits the Earth. Illustrations: Courtesy of Reaction Engines Ltd.

take off from the terminal into space

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The X-37B spacecraft after landing at Vandenburg Air Force Base in California, December 3, 2010

The unmanned X-37B spacecraft returned from space after 220 days

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