China’s Shenlong Space Plane Deploys Another Mystery Object
A private space surveillance firm has detected an unknown object released from China’s secretive Shenlong space plane, raising new questions about the spacecraft’s mission.
Wellington, New Zealand – On June 22, LeoLabs, a private space surveillance company, detected an unknown object near China’s Shenlong space plane using a radar facility in New Zealand. Following additional observations, LeoLabs assessed with high confidence that the object was released from the Chinese spacecraft.
The following day, June 23, renowned astronomer Jonathan McDowell confirmed the object originated from Shenlong and noted it is now being tracked by the U.S. Space Force.
The Shenlong Program
Shenlong is a reusable, robotic spacecraft developed by China. It launches into low Earth orbit (LEO) atop vertical rockets and returns to Earth for horizontal runway landings. The space plane has flown four missions to date:
- A two-day mission in September 2020
- An eight-month mission from August 2022 to May 2023
- A nine-month mission from December 2023 to September 2024
- Its current mission, which began on February 7, 2025
This latest deployment is the ninth object released by Shenlong since 2022.
Purpose Remains Unknown
The purpose of the deployed payloads is still unclear. Speculation from analysts and media includes:
- Cubesats
- Targets for rendezvous and proximity operations
- Surveillance satellites
- Anti-satellite weapons
No incidents of spacecraft sabotage have been reported.
"The object could be a cubesat," speculated Jonathan McDowell.
Space News reported that Shenlong’s primary goal might be to conduct rendezvous and proximity operations. Meanwhile, other outlets, including Gizmodo, noted the payloads could be surveillance or anti-satellite weapons.
Tracking China’s Space Plane
Shenlong has now spent nearly 700 cumulative days in low Earth orbit. A blurry image from August 2024 suggested the spacecraft is equipped with a solar array extending from its body.
For context, the United States operates a similar vehicle, the X-37B space plane, though significantly more public information is available about its missions.