BREMAN, Germany – China’s push to dominate the next frontier in space exploration took center stage at the Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, Germany, where Beijing-based Space Transportation, also known as Lingkong Tianxing Technology, announced the development of a prototype supersonic spaceplane, dubbed “Cuantianhou” or “Flying Monkey.”
Details about the Cuantianhou remain limited. However, a scale model showcased at the Space Tech Expo revealed a design closely resembling the company’s Yunxing supersonic passenger jet prototype, albeit in a smaller, near-identical form.
The ambitious project, first reported by Space News, aims to revolutionize access to space with a versatile, high-speed craft capable of horizontal takeoffs and landings.
Significantly, both the Cuantianhou spaceplane and the Yunxing commercial passenger jet bear a striking resemblance to the iconic American SR-71 Blackbird, raising the question: is this a leap forward in aerospace innovation or another example of China simply copying U.S. designs?
Space Transportation announced in late October that it had successfully completed test flights of the Yunxing prototype. According to reports in Chinese media, the Yunxing is envisioned as a supersonic commercial aircraft capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 4—over 1,535 mph.
At more than twice the speed of the world’s only successful supersonic passenger jet, the Concorde, the Yunxing could transport passengers from Beijing to New York in less than two hours, revolutionizing long-distance travel. The company aims to launch the first full-scale Yunxing supersonic passenger jet on its maiden flight by 2027.
The Yunxing is designed to accommodate up to 50 passengers. However, Fan Deng, general manager of Space Transportation, revealed to SpaceNews that the new Cuantianhou spaceplane will have capacity for just two passengers and will feature fully autonomous flight controls.
Fan said the Cuantianhou will conduct its inaugural test flight in 2025. The prototype will showcase near-space capabilities, including high-speed horizontal takeoff and landing, much like a conventional airplane. This design eliminates the need for traditional rocket launchpads and recovery systems, offering a more versatile and reusable solution for space missions.
Beyond the stated differences, the exact distinctions between the Yunxing and Cuantianhou remain unclear. In fact, earlier images released by Space Transportation of the Yunxing commercial jet appear to show the same scale model as the Cuantianhou spaceplane displayed at the Space Tech Expo Europe. Notably, the name “Cuantianhou” is prominently displayed on the fuselage in these images.
In English, the name “Cuantianhou” translates to “Flying Monkey,” while “Yunxing” means “cloud travel.”
