The Secretive U.S. Space Plane China Is Racing to Compete With

Both the U.S. and China launched secretive space missions using high-tech space planes right before the new year. The U.S. blasted its autonomous X-37B plane up in a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket just weeks after China dispatched its own Shenlong spacecraft, sparking lots of speculation about where the planes are going and whether they could be used as space weapons.
I take a look at what the U.S.’s Boeing-made X-37B space plane is capable of doing, and how these launches underscore the intensifying space race between superpowers.
0:00 X-37B secret mission
0:39 X-37B features
1:21 Potential space applications
3:24 New mission to deep space?
4:55 The U.S.-China space race
I’m Shelby Holliday, a reporter for WSJ. Subscribe to join me as I explain some of today's most pressing geopolitical events, from superpower showdowns and conflicts to supply chain snarls and natural resource struggles.
#Space #X37B #China #ShelbyHolliday

[@ShelbyHollidayWSJ]

Any guesses as to what the U.S.’s X-37B and China’s Shenlong might be doing in Space?

[@iwadik]

Boing Boom Tschak

[@tonycapriglione7402]

Expending a full falcon heavy its probably going to at least a geosynchronous orbit. What orbit was the Chinese ship launched too?

[@John-pk4jm]

I think the mission of the X-37B USSF-52 is to go to GEO orbit and closely observe the PLA's latest YG-41 optical reconnaissance satellite. This satellite has a huge deployable mirror, which will greatly enhance the PLA's perception capabilities. This is also the reason why the X-37B is carried on the larger Heavy Falcon. The previous launch plan was not enough to support such a high-orbit mission. At the same time, it had to be launched after the launch of the YG-41.

[@tonycapriglione7402]

Making love not war?

[@JohnDoe-fg9ng]

I think materials testing in the Van Allen belts is pretty unlikely. The inner belt are dominated by mostly protons up to the 400MeV energy range, and the outer belt in GEO are more dominated by electrons. You can get pretty high fidelity tests on materials on earth by testing with electron/protons or even gamma rays, even accounting for synergistic effects, such as vacuum, thermal cycling, atomic oxygen, ext... This would be a pretty expensive for something that could be tested pretty easily on earth.

[@John-pk4jm]

I think the mission of the X-37B USSF-52 is to go to GEO orbit and closely observe the PLA's latest YG-41 optical reconnaissance satellite. This satellite has a huge deployable mirror, which will greatly enhance the PLA's perception capabilities. This is also the reason why the X-37B is carried on the larger Heavy Falcon. The previous launch plan was not enough to support such a high-orbit mission. At the same time, it had to be launched after the launch of the YG-41.

[@YouTubeUserNumber1]

Your WSJ videos are great!

[@ShelbyHollidayWSJ]

Thanks so much

[@Nainara32]

While it's probably doing all of the things that the Air Force stated, my guess that "space domain awareness" is the primary mission. They're likely using it to image and intercept EM emissions of adversaries' satellites in order to catalog their capabilities and purposes. Russia has been very active in these activities with traditional satellites, but unlike a space plane that can land to refuel and retool, the traditional variety only have so much delta-v to change their orbits.

[@liemavick]

Hey Shelby, great report. Subscribed to your channel and looking fwd to seeing what cool stuff you hit us with next. Have a good one!

[@joeconiglio]

Always a pleasure Shelby, this spaceplane has always been of great interest.

[@sunshine7453]

Space shuttle was a mistake. X-37b is the result of all the lessons learned. It’s the most cost effective vehicle.

[@hifinsword]

The shuttle was not a mistake. A lot was learned from it. It's like saying the Mercury program was a mistake. But you are right that the X-37B is the most cost effective vehicle for what it does. But it doesn't do everything we need in or from space.

[@siaoguai]

Without the Space Shuttle program, I doubt that X-37B could be operational in 2010.

[@garyevans3051]

The space shuttle was not a mistake. The mistake was how NASA used it and all the engineering failures. I could see the shuttle as a taxi to the moon. The bays could be fitted for passengers. One of NASA’s biggest mistakes

[@iftikharhusain6286]

Extremely informative and brilliantly explained

[@rickintexas1584]

Very informative information. Thanks.

[@SFVYachtClub]

I remember seeing a picture of an older version of one when I was a kid in elementary school, and shuddering out of fear and revulsion at the sight of the thing.

[@al28854]

2:50 that's like a Bond moment, just like the opening scene of You Only Live Twice (1967)

[@LunarSecrets]

WSJ is lucky to have you. Between this high-quality coverage, and the apparent growing interest of WSJ in defense-related topics, I think you're about to earn a bunch of new subscribers. Keep up the good work!

[@zreeder21]

My theory, going way back to when it's existence was first made public, was that it's primary function is temporarily replace essential military communication satellites in the even of an enemy state finding a way to destroy our current infrastructure. If the Space Force (so cool saying that) had a fleet of these laying around they could pretty easily be outfitted with communication tech to fill the gaps in coverage created by the loss of existing infrastructure.

[@johnlau8461]

Why not just launch ordinary satellites then? These cost way more to make and especially when enemy can shoot down satellite, wouldn't it be financially too risky? Besides, you can shoot way more comm sat into orbit using the same rocket class then shooting just one of these

[@eduwino151]

it is a reusable satelite and at mass production they will become cheaper @@johnlau8461

[@Consonat]

Miss Shelby I always watch your reporting keep up the great work 👍☘️

[@ShelbyHollidayWSJ]

Appreciate it!

[@asage5801]

It can see more Space between it and Earth. Its got to be bristling with multi-spectral passive ultra high resolution sensors

[@anatoli8270]

A very illustrative video, thanks! There is still no official confirmation about what is the current orbit of Boeing X-37B?

[@mike2492]

@4:42 but not the Apollo missions right,. Somehow they made it thru yet we cant figure it out

[@user-gr6wh7lx2q]

it's cargo towing the vulcan red matter !

[@jbx.7995]

WSJ, how many models are there of the X37b, i ask because i caught it docked onto the I.S.S. I believe it to be C model a little help please on identifying which one I have on you tube for the world to see 🤔

[@iftikharhusain6286]

Interesting

[@monkeyking-self-proclaimed7050]

It's used to send E.T. home.

[@silentvoiceinthedark5665]

The future of space exploration is with robotics. Life support systems take up a lot of resources that can be used to advance space exploration even further.

[@edd4816]

Nah I go to space

[@milsimgamer]

Initial exploration, certainly. To fully exploit the resources available, man in space is a necessity.

[@user-rz9wh5hx2f]

Racing to copy - keep those plans locked down tea 💪🏽👊🏾🇺🇸🙏

[@johnc1873]

Chinas space program is 100x better than US

[@kamsunleong6648]

Bruh. China already launched theirs before yours. They should be the one to lock up their plans.

[@nickhollingsworth2838]

I’d assume a company would have to pay for a staff or service responsible for Bot setup, monitoring, maintenance and intervention. Like FSD, I’d also assume, the more complex the job the more human intervention will be required. No telling how much assistance Bot will require/job. But it’s likely it go down as Bot matures. I suspect Telsa will recommend a Bot to human ratio to accomplish particular tasks. e.g. Intervention rate * N bots = N humans support required.

[@gerardanderson9665]

For All Mankind he we come

[@MacDaddy8200]

How can you be an developing country/economy while you have your own space station and space program?? its insane

[@johnl.7754]

Most costs with space programs are labor costs and China/India labor cost are much lower than USA

[@MacDaddy8200]

@@johnl.7754 Or else the Chinese government just doesnt care about +70% of their population live for less than 280 USD per month.

[@ToPunish241]

Its used to destroy other satelit

[@erikals]

Space Laser

[@MetaView7]

how do you compete with something that is secretive ???

[@rockfordfiles5451]

Not too secret, it seems?

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

At about 02:48 in this vudeo: The space vehicle shown in that painting is configured differently from the X-37. In the painting the vehicle has winglets and no tail surfaces. The X-37 has a sort of V-tail and no wingtip winglets. Also, the vehicle's nose section in the painting _seems_ to be different from the X-37. I should add I am viewing this on my smartphone, so I might be misinterpreting something. *EDIT→* The wing shown in the painting is also more of a delta wing configuration.

[@Condor1970]

Kind of funny how that North Korean satellite in orbit just disappeared a week after the X-37B was launched.

[@joeharris3878]

The only thing that makes sense in building such a spacecraft ( not to say the USAF does things that make sense) is that it could re-enter the atmosphere or skip off it to cange its orbit. So it's primarily a recognizance satellite. It's like the X20 Dynasoarer without a pilot. The Germans were developing such a space plane in the 1940s.

[@Gnomezonbacon]

hahahahaha no the germans weren't developing space ships. They were drawing pictures on paper.

[@joeharris3878]

@@Gnomezonbacon okay, smartie pants. The reason for developing the X20 was the same reason the Sangers recognized when they proposed it and the reason the Germans would have had if they were to have developed it.

[@onionknight2239]

I figured it was as simple as delivering tungsten rods with rockets attached to em. I can't figure out what he would say that weapons speculation is completely unfounded it seems like an excellent idea if you want to sink an aircraft carrier

[@AlKohaiMusic]

Occams Razer says espionage

[@brucewane6282]

Don’t worry about China.

[@AndreyVanjura]

hmm this comment will age like milk

[@harleydavidson4254]

Yep. Worry more about the United Snakes. Warmongers with extreme arrogance.

[@harleydavidson4254]

Yep. Worry more about the United Snakes. Warmongers with extreme arrogance.

[@walhdamaskus2408]

American worry so much about others that they had forgotten to worry about themselves. 😂😂

[@pkeel7576]

Solar Warden resupply and technical assistance

[@BoltRM]

Yeah that "power beaming system" 1:44 couldn't be used against other satellites.. 🙄

[@fouchi3203]

For All Mankind watch this show !

[@alfredshort3]

Ahh the Chinese Ministry of Defense is getting into the Uber business like the CIA 😂😊

[@eddiem461]

I wonder how much intel I can get from point Nemo

[@Bannysadkosays2u]

If it's on KZbin, it's NOT top secret.

[@importantname]

Secretive, on youtube???

[@givemeabreak8784]

Can easily jam GPS satellites in case of war.

[@hifinsword]

Star navigation was reinstituted at some higher learning academies when we finally realized that.

[@anatoli8270]

SDI Railgun (Reagan's Star wars) and Rods from God (Tungsten rods) are very known projects of space weapons. A space railgun can be tinier than a terrestrial railgun, because space has no atmosphere.

[@jasonlee6663]

I always theorized that it was used to track satellite orbits.

[@samfrancisco8095]

Long term human stasis for extended missions to Europa.

[@yorkshire_tea_innit8097]

We can track satellites from the ground. This is for taking them out of orbit if anything.

[@williamfowler616]

geosynchronous orbits are 22,000 miles out, it is in a low earth orbit, but i guess anything is possible.

[@anonymous4gent]

don't be fooled . . its an American weather balloon!

[@adcaptandumvulgus4252]

Weapons in space make total sense I don't know where that guy is talking about plus it's kind of weird he was doing the signs of deception but I guess he didn't realize he was doing it giving himself away but I'm not omniscient so I could be wrong

[@ernestocasia3010]

maybe a space battle between east and west eh

[@winkipinky]

If it was a SECRET, It would not NOT be on KZbin! 😅😊

[@MS-qx9uw]

The vehicle itself is not secret. What they do with it is secret

[@hifinsword]

I've been following the X-37B for years. That it exist is NOT SECRET. What it does and is capable of doing is TOP SECRET.

[@garyh.8082]

Blue, or ultraviolet lasers from space to start fires.

[@AnthonyDixon-vq4yn]

That is a James Bond movie

[@aniksamiurrahman6365]

Secret US plane, whose news available on KZbin 😂

[@Dave05J]

The mission is secret. Not the plane. Shouldn't be that hard to understand

[@helicalactual]

my guess is someone is trying to figure out how to transition between atmosphere and "vacuum". this technology would allow fighter pilots to literally fly INTO SPACE and deliver payloads or conduct surveillance

[@kiandrah8517]

This is my point exactly. Everything has to be a race. Earthlings cant agree on anything even when we arent on earth. It is never going to change but if America and Russia could just put everything aside for once and make the space race into a baton change then maybe we would get to Mars.

[@billwalsh9711]

SO hard to intercept an object in orbit. Seems, best I recall, we caught the Hubble and did some work on it. Make regular trips to the ISS. Back in the 60's we were making links to capsules with space craft that have WAY less computer capacity than my Apple watch. We went to the moon with less capacity. How hard can it really be. Sometimes the Egg Heads make me wonder.

[@nebble58]

Yea were pretty good at rendezvous. But we wouldn't know the exact orbit of another country's millitary sat so that probably makes it a lot harder

[@billwalsh9711]

@@nebble58 The USofA military tracks every scrap of anything in orbit 24/7. I'm quite sure other nations do the same thing. It doesn't take an Einstein to calculate an orbit down to the inch after enough points in the orbit.

[@asage5801]

If a thing WANTS to be intercepted only and os not actively manuvering

[@billwalsh9711]

All satellites have some capability to maneuver. But I seriously doubt that the average satellite has the "intelligence" to see the plane coming and think, "I don't want that thing to capture me so I will start maneuvering to avoid it." It takes ground control to maneuver the thing around. AND, it's capability is very limited. Usually only enough to maintain a stable orbit. Not go chasing off all over the sky.

[@ohtoriginalhimbeertoni]

💯❣️

[@cassandrareeves-beaver9130]

Why do You care??

[@ALWH1314]

Is space not big enough for two countries? Hope this Boeing don’t have loose door plug.

[@corporalpunish6089]

They dont need to rush. Just log in to their Boeing account and copy plans.

[@maxb4956]

We educated the Chinese in our universities and now they cna do what we can.. lol We did this to ourselves.

[@Fellowtellurian]

I can sense the level of perfectionism Shelby has, from her streamlined tailored jacket to the incredibly small breathing space between a clip and the follow up commentary. Great video but let loose, breathe a little, in the videos and in life. It’s okay.

[@andydondy6444]

Compete😂😂 they already test flight theirs. Ours is still in dry dock 😂😂😂

[@kennethvenezia4400]

Well, the doors are open in space because they probably blew out😹🤣🙀 after all, it's Boeing. Just kidding, really amazing

[@PABYT506]

U know what is in side it? MATT DAMON

[@belugabath]

How about spying ,

[@sw8741]

Isn't it great that US technology flows so seamlessly to China. Its almost as if they have flies on the wall or something.

[@grandlotus1]

Surely, X37B has some stealth properties.

[@sdvcv]

just saying that there is no reason and it doesn't make sense is the laziest possible response. the thing is capable so there is theoretical potential, you should have addressed that.

[@charliebere6022]

If you can “dock” you can confront . Stop it

[@juanf5391]

Prof. Lakshmi Kantha is a gamer. What's his Twitch channel?

[@denvercalonia9255]

Let's not play the blind game here, it's obviously for national security means and that laser beam... 😐

[@Halli50]

Whooieee! Made by Boeing! That is not going to end well....

[@ti994apc]

Blasted into space?

[@phil20_20]

They're not trying to compete - they're trying to copy. That's what they do! 😂😂

[@johnlafrance2692]

Power beaming sounds like they’re shooting lasers out of space for the military

[@ChicagoDB]

Too small to do much with one.

[@CuriousEngineer]

India too will be sending this type of shuttle

[@gregorybyrne2453]

Znamya solar spotlight, solar sail laser satellites. Holes in siberia.

[@CognizantApe]

I wonder if China is trying to match our timing and capabilities or if it's the other way around, we may be trying to match theirs.

[@donnywilkes6417]

Only difference is ours work.

[@CognizantApe]

@@donnywilkes6417 what do you mean by that?

[@jamarplunkett3283]

The X-37B has flown since 2010.

[@hifinsword]

Results speak for themselves Cognizant. Apparently you aren't cognizant that the U.S. space program has been working for decades and is still years ahead of any country out there. If China has anything to brag about WRT their space program, you can be sure the world would know about it. Even you might have heard!

[@adcaptandumvulgus4252]

Place your bets who's going to be the first moon base country China or the US or maybe someone else...

[@nedwalport4426]

APT1 saves China a whole lot of research funding ....

[@toku_gawa]

All the Chinese space programs is shown as animation. Wonder what the real thing looks like

[@Astro_owo]

i know they did NOT just show the Buran spacecraft as "russia's spaceplane"

[@cobracommander.1958]

Talk about the long robotic arm it has and also the thing it is picking up this time round...

[@kiandrah8517]

You'll never get to Mars without my lunar land claim. You have the GPS coordinates. Study it. 2123 says that site is the cheapest and only way to get to Mars.

[@registerhand4720]

1:11 "and Boeing, the company that makes it ..." enough said.😪

[@SenorTucano]

I’m wondering if it’s large enough to steal Chinese satellites?

[@heroldmutebi8200]

The dream chaser is a stolen Soviet design.

[@user-lm3nz4ud8v]

Space 🚀🌌 is a dead god Aditi🌹🌚👍 Rest in the good news 🌹 Okay bye

[@1badjesus]

😒...

[@FiveGunsWest]

China would not pursue obsolete technology. They are far ahead of the U$.

[@thomasrogers9146]

ONE OF THE STRANGEST THING I EXPERIENCED AS AN AMERICAN IN MY BUSINESS VISITS TO CHINA WAS,THE CHINESE MEDIA OR PEOPLE DO NOT TALK ABOUT AMERICAN. THEY ARE NOT IN COMPETITION WITH AMERICA. THEY COMPETE AMONG THEM SELVES. BUT THEIR WAS NO MENTION OF THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT POLITICS OR AMERICAN SOCIETY. CHINESE MEDIA IS NOT OBSESSED WITH AMERICA.ONE OF THE BUSINESS LESSONS I LEARNED FROM CHINA IS ( FOCUSE ON WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOT WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING). THEY ALSO TAUGHT ME ABOUT WIN WIN AND BUSINESS IS BASED ON RELATIONSHIPS NOT MONEY. 90% OF OUR BELIEFS ABOUT THE CHINESE PEOPLE IN AMERICA IS BASED ON PROJECTION. IN CHINESE CONFUSING HERITAGE, HOW TO WIN A WAR? (YOU WIN WITH OUT FIGHTING.)

[@heroldmutebi8200]

Because America loves a boogie Man story. "There's always someone to get you" type of crap sold by the Neo-con run Government.😂

[@imtiyazhossain3053]

If China surpasses its space program compared to US creation, what's wrong with that?

[@Western_Decline]

It challenges Whit e Supremacy, and the West becomes very jealous.

[@JohnsonJLB]

Well, they're a communist controlled country. If they have space dominance they may get military dominance. If they get that then they may attempt a war with the U.S. Currently, they're playing the silent war game. China and Russia are constantly probing all computers connected to the internet in the U.S. every few seconds. They're hacking our computers. They're attempting to purchase land in the U.S. They have spy's in the U.S. which is much easier to do since we have an open border in the south. We may purchase goods from them, but China and Russia are enemies to the U.S. and would love to take over the most powerful nation in the world. I don't know about you, but I know communist rule is the opposite of the freedoms we have in the U.S. The Chinese people in some areas are attempting to revolt. The Chinese government is attempting to wipe out any Muslims in their country. What do you like about China that you hope it's successful in dominance over the free World? (U.S. and it's allies).

[@doubleslit9513]

Yawn. So tired about hearing how fast you’re going in orbit. Do you know how fast spaceship Earth is flying through virgin space at this very moment? Well, I dunno either but I can tell you it’s fast. And yet still I can hit my trash can with an empty water bottle 4 out of 5 times.

[@BoltRM]

Now THAT's an achievement! 💪

[@psycleen]

balloon

[@richarddecker9515]

Capture enemy satellites

[@kthompson3795]

Boeing, the d.e.i. company that can't keep its planes in one piece.

[@Markharlan95]

needs better "experts"

[@mnblkjh6757]

🇺🇸👍🙂