China’s Shenlong space plane, known for its mysterious and secretive nature, has once again caught the attention of space enthusiasts. After nearly six months in orbit, the spacecraft has released an unknown object 600km above the Earth’s surface. This development has piqued the interest of both experts and amateur astronomers alike.
The object, catalogued as object 59884, was ejected from Shenlong on May 25 and has been orbiting the Earth since then without any significant maneuvers. According to experts like Jonathan McDowell and Scott Tilley, the object may be nothing more than an inert piece of hardware. Despite extensive monitoring, neither the object nor the space plane has emitted any new signals since the release.
Shenlong’s current mission marks its third flight, following its previous missions in 2020 and 2022. While there is limited information available about the spacecraft’s size and capabilities, experts have noted that Shenlong has released several objects into orbit during its latest mission. These objects, initially thought to be satellites, were later identified as debris from the Long March rocket.
The lack of transparency surrounding Shenlong’s missions has left many questions unanswered. Chinese space authorities have not disclosed details about the spacecraft’s activities or its planned return. The only information available is a brief report released by state media at the time of launch, mentioning the spacecraft’s focus on reusable technology verification and space science experiments.
As Shenlong continues its mission in orbit, speculation abounds about its ultimate objectives and capabilities. The spacecraft’s ability to raise its orbit to 600km has intrigued experts, who are eager to learn more about its intended landing site in China. While the true nature of the released object remains a mystery, one thing is certain – Shenlong’s enigmatic presence in space continues to captivate observers around the world.