China’s Top Secret Spaceplane Ejects Unknown Object into Orbit
Science/Medical/Technology
Friday 31st, May 2024
China’s clandestine spaceplane, Shenlong, has released an unknown object into Earth's orbit, 600 kilometres above the surface. The US Space Force is vigilantly monitoring the situation, though the purpose of the object, ejected on the 24th of May 2024, remains unclear.
First identified by Harvard astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, the object has sparked speculation. McDowell suggested it might be a subsatellite deployment or perhaps hardware jettisoned before the spaceplane concludes its mission and deorbits. “This object could be a subsatellite deployment, or it could be a piece of hardware ejected prior to end of the mission and deorbit (the spaceplane's first flight did something similar)”, McDowell shared on social media platform X. “Will be interesting to see if the plane manoeuvres or lands soon”.
Shenlong, named after a spirit dragon from Chinese mythology, was launched in December. Since then, it has released multiple objects into orbit, some of which have been detected transmitting strong signals over North America.
The US Space Force has expressed concern over these activities. General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, remarked on the strategic timing of the Shenlong launch, which occurred a day after the US aborted the flight of its own spaceplane. "It's probably no coincidence that they're trying to match us in timing and sequence of this", Saltzman stated.
Amateur astronomer Scott Tilley, who has been tracking Shenlong since December, observed the spaceplane ejecting six objects, which emitted signals over British Columbia, Canada. Tilley noted, “When the spaceplane passes over me, it only emits on a certain trajectory of pass that appears to favour a location south to southwest of me. On higher elevation passes over me, there are no signals, but on ocean hugging passes to my southwest, all of my observations of the object have occurred”.
Tilley is collaborating with a Swiss group specialising in optical band space surveillance to keep a close watch on Shenlong.
The Chinese spaceplane is currently on its third mission since 2020, and its capabilities are seen as somewhat analogous to the US’s X-37B, a Boeing built spaceplane resembling a miniature space shuttle. The X-37B, which launched on in March 2011 after several delays due to weather and technical issues, is designed to deploy various payloads and conduct technology experiments during extended orbital flights. Its current mission is expected to last until June 2026 or beyond.
China has remained reticent about the precise objectives of Shenlong, describing its mission only as providing "technical support for the peaceful use of space". This secrecy, combined with the spaceplane’s activities, has heightened international scrutiny and concern.
As both amateur and professional astronomers, alongside military and space agencies, continue to monitor Shenlong’s trajectory and activities, the implications of these mysterious orbital deployments will be closely examined.
First identified by Harvard astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, the object has sparked speculation. McDowell suggested it might be a subsatellite deployment or perhaps hardware jettisoned before the spaceplane concludes its mission and deorbits. “This object could be a subsatellite deployment, or it could be a piece of hardware ejected prior to end of the mission and deorbit (the spaceplane's first flight did something similar)”, McDowell shared on social media platform X. “Will be interesting to see if the plane manoeuvres or lands soon”.
Shenlong, named after a spirit dragon from Chinese mythology, was launched in December. Since then, it has released multiple objects into orbit, some of which have been detected transmitting strong signals over North America.
The US Space Force has expressed concern over these activities. General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, remarked on the strategic timing of the Shenlong launch, which occurred a day after the US aborted the flight of its own spaceplane. "It's probably no coincidence that they're trying to match us in timing and sequence of this", Saltzman stated.
Amateur astronomer Scott Tilley, who has been tracking Shenlong since December, observed the spaceplane ejecting six objects, which emitted signals over British Columbia, Canada. Tilley noted, “When the spaceplane passes over me, it only emits on a certain trajectory of pass that appears to favour a location south to southwest of me. On higher elevation passes over me, there are no signals, but on ocean hugging passes to my southwest, all of my observations of the object have occurred”.
Tilley is collaborating with a Swiss group specialising in optical band space surveillance to keep a close watch on Shenlong.
The Chinese spaceplane is currently on its third mission since 2020, and its capabilities are seen as somewhat analogous to the US’s X-37B, a Boeing built spaceplane resembling a miniature space shuttle. The X-37B, which launched on in March 2011 after several delays due to weather and technical issues, is designed to deploy various payloads and conduct technology experiments during extended orbital flights. Its current mission is expected to last until June 2026 or beyond.
China has remained reticent about the precise objectives of Shenlong, describing its mission only as providing "technical support for the peaceful use of space". This secrecy, combined with the spaceplane’s activities, has heightened international scrutiny and concern.
As both amateur and professional astronomers, alongside military and space agencies, continue to monitor Shenlong’s trajectory and activities, the implications of these mysterious orbital deployments will be closely examined.
