China’s experimental reusable spacecraft, currently carrying out a mission in Earth orbit, has performed an unexpected maneuver by releasing an unidentified object into open space. The event has triggered a new wave of questions about the true purpose of the country’s secretive spaceflight tests.
The Shenlong (“Divine Dragon”) spaceplane began its fourth orbital mission on February 7. Shortly afterward, space-monitoring company LeoLabs detected an unidentified object traveling in close proximity to the vehicle. The mysterious object was first picked up by the Kiwi Space Radar station in New Zealand, after which analysts were able to confirm its origin.
“After conducting additional observations and analyzing the data within the Delta system, we added the object to our catalog. We are highly confident that it was released by the Chinese spaceplane,” LeoLabs said in an official statement.
Mission History and Orbital Mysteries
Shenlong made its first experimental short-duration flight in 2020. The mission lasted only two days and ended with a landing at the Jiuquan test site in the Gobi Desert. However, subsequent launches became significantly longer: in August 2022, the spaceplane spent 276 days in orbit, and in December 2023 it remained in space for 268 days.
During these extended missions, the spacecraft routinely performs complex tasks, including vertical takeoff, horizontal landing, formation flying, as well as rendezvous, docking, and target capture operations.
It is worth noting that the deployment of unidentified satellites by Shenlong is not new. In previous missions, the spaceplane has already left behind objects, some of which were even detected emitting specific radio signals. The U.S. Armed Forces regularly catalog these objects, while Beijing continues to maintain complete silence, without confirming their deployment.
At 02:30 UTC on 22 June 2026, LeoLabs detected an unknown object in the vicinity of the Chinese Shenlong reusable spaceplane.
This object did not correlate to any other object in our catalog. It was first observed by our Tracker radar in New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/AEf4gbyJPr
— LeoLabs (@LeoLabs_Space) June 22, 2026
Representatives of LeoLabs emphasize that the payload from the fourth mission is unique and “does not match any other object in the database.” In previous missions, Shenlong actively maneuvered near its deployed subsatellites, so astronomers continue to closely monitor what it will do with the new object this time.
Military weapon or peaceful space exploration?
The spaceplane is being developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), a state-owned corporation that produces both civilian and military technologies. Throughout the project’s development, official Chinese sources have released almost no technical details about the spacecraft or its ultimate purpose. State media only briefly state that the vehicle “conducts technological verification of reusable systems to support the peaceful use of space.”
Due to this high level of secrecy, various theories are circulating within the international community. Experts from the Safe World Foundation suggest that Shenlong could be a test platform for deploying space-based weapons, testing early warning systems, or conducting deep orbital reconnaissance.
American counterpart
China is not the only country conducting such covert operations. The United States Space Force also operates its own secretive spaceplane — the Boeing X-37. In August 2025, this experimental reusable spacecraft launched on its eighth mission (OTV-8). Its officially stated purpose is to test advanced orbital technologies aimed at enhancing U.S. military capabilities in space.
Due to this high level of secrecy, various theories are circulating within the international community. Experts from the Safe World Foundation suggest that Shenlong could be a test platform for deploying space-based weapons, testing early warning systems, or conducting deep orbital reconnaissance.
American counterpart
China is not the only country conducting such covert operations. The United States Space Force also operates its own secretive spaceplane — the Boeing X-37. In August 2025, this experimental reusable spacecraft launched on its eighth mission (OTV-8). Its officially stated purpose is to test advanced orbital technologies aimed at enhancing U.S. military capabilities in space.
Currently, both competitors — Shenlong and the Boeing X-37 — are simultaneously operating in Earth orbit. The exact dates of their return to Earth have not been announced.
According to gizmodo.com
