China's top-secret space plane, known as Shenlong or "divine dragon," has once again released an unknown object over Earth, sparking concerns about its secretive activities. Since 2022, the spacecraft has deployed nine mysterious payloads into low Earth orbit, leaving experts puzzled about their true nature. The Shenlong space plane, a reusable robotic vehicle, has been launched multiple times by China and has remained shrouded in mystery, with no official details about its design or purpose disclosed.
The spacecraft, which resembles NASA's Space Shuttle program, has never been seen by other nations, making it difficult to ascertain its appearance or size. Shenlong embarked on its first mission in September 2020 and has since completed multiple extended missions in low Earth orbit, releasing a series of payloads during each flight. Its latest mission, ongoing since February 7, saw the launch of another unidentified object, detected by American space exploration company LeoLabs.
On June 22, LeoLabs reported the detection of a new object near the Shenlong space plane, adding to the mystery surrounding its activities. Subsequent observations revealed that the object was independently cataloged and confirmed to have been released by the Chinese spacecraft. Astronomer Jonathan McDowell, an expert in satellite tracking, suggested that the object could be a 'cubesat,' a small satellite commonly deployed alongside larger spacecraft, but its exact purpose remains unknown.
Speculation abounds regarding the nature of Shenlong's payloads, with theories ranging from covert surveillance satellites to potential anti-satellite weaponry. However, there have been no documented instances of the space plane or its objects interfering with existing spacecraft. As Shenlong continues its secretive missions, questions persist about its true objectives and the implications of its activities in space.
In comparison to China's Shenlong, the United States operates a similar space plane called the X-37B, which has accumulated over 4,200 days in low Earth orbit since 2010. While American officials have been more transparent about the X-37B's mission and research goals, the Shenlong spacecraft remains enigmatic, raising concerns among international observers about the intentions behind its clandestine operations.