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China's Shenlong Spacecraft Releases Another Mystery Object in Orbit

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • China's secret spacecraft, Shenlong, has released another unidentified object in low Earth orbit, sparking speculation about its purpose.
  • Space tracking company LeoLabs detected the object, confirming it was released from the Shenlong spacecraft.
  • The function of the released objects remains unknown, with theories ranging from CubeSats to targets for anti-satellite weapon practice.

China's secretive Shenlong spacecraft, also known as the Divine Dragon, has once again released an unknown object into low Earth orbit, reigniting questions about the true purpose of the highly classified vehicle. The event was detected by space activity monitoring firm LeoLabs on June 22, which initially reported an "unknown object in proximity" to Shenlong.

Further analysis by LeoLabs, using its radar network, confirmed with high confidence that the object originated from the Chinese spacecraft. Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer and satellite tracking expert from Durham University, also verified that the object was released by Shenlong and is now being tracked by the U.S. Space Force. McDowell suggested the object might be a CubeSat, a type of small satellite often carried as secondary payloads on space missions, though its specific function is yet to be determined.

Shenlong is a reusable robotic spacecraft launched into orbit via rocket, designed to re-enter the atmosphere and land horizontally, similar to NASA's Space Shuttle. Since its first launch in 2020, Shenlong has completed four missions. It began releasing payloads during its second mission (2022-2023) and released seven additional objects during its third mission (2023-2024). Its fourth mission commenced on February 7, 2026.

independently cataloging this object and assessing with a high degree of confidence that this object was released from the Chinese spacecraft

— LeoLabsConfirming the origin of the unidentified object.

Speculation about Shenlong's objectives includes potential rendezvous and proximity operations with other spacecraft, using released objects as targets for orbital maneuvering practice. Other theories suggest these objects could be reconnaissance satellites or even possess anti-satellite capabilities, although no evidence has emerged to support the latter.

The Chinese government has not disclosed details regarding Shenlong's design, size, or development objectives, maintaining a veil of secrecy around the program.

the object originated from Shenlong and is now being monitored by the U.S. Space Force.

— Jonathan McDowellConfirming the object's release from the Chinese spacecraft and its subsequent tracking.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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