Look up! China's mysterious space plane is visible over the US this week

.space.com ^ | https://www.space.com/stargazing/chinas-secretive-spa | Daisy Dobrijevic

[BenLurkin]

China's secretive space plane is making a series of passes over the United States in the coming days and you could spot it with your own eyes!

The mysterious spacecraft, Shenlong, is currently orbiting Earth on its fourth mission. Although we don't know what it's up to, China's space agency has said it is testing technologies that "will pave the way for more convenient and affordable round-trip methods for the peaceful use of space in the future."

Under favorable conditions, Shenlong is bright enough to spot with the naked eye, according to Spaceweather.com. But you'll need to set your alarm early, as some of the best viewing opportunities are in the predawn sky.

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TOPICS: Astronomy
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[TwelveOfTwenty]

"To those of you who supported sending your jobs, technology, money, and tax base to us, thank you for funding our space program at the expense of your own."

Signed, the Communists in China

[equaviator]

Couldn’t I just view images of it taken by the Hubble Space Telescope or are we still trying to find the end and/or beginning of time with it?

[crusty old prospector]

Can I shoot at it?

[BenLurkin]

No. Bottles only.

[dfwgator]

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Imagine all those people with personal Lasers who are prohibited by the FAA from pointing them at airplane coordinating and simultaneously deciding to target the Chinese spy plane! (No, probably not enough wattage to have any effect unless it hits their cameras just right.)

Do it on a clear night. I imagine that they are hoovering, er, hovering over sensitive U.S. military installations. (Is a low space object covered by FAA Rules? If so do NOT do this!) If its a peaceful use space plane then let it hover over China.