A Chinese experimental spacecraft, currently in Earth orbit, recently released an unknown object, raising more unanswered questions regarding the ongoing tests of the reusable vehicle.
China’s spaceplane, dubbed Shenlong (or Divine Dragon), launched on February 7 for its fourth orbital mission. On Monday, space surveillance firm LeoLabs detected an unknown object in the vicinity of the spaceplane. The object was first observed by LeoLabs’ Kiwi Space Radar in New Zealand and later confirmed as having been deployed by the spaceplane.
“Following additional observations across our global network and analysis via LeoLabs Delta, we have independently cataloged this object and assessed with high confidence that it was released from the Chinese spaceplane,” LeoLabs wrote on X.
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
Mystery plane, mystery object
The Chinese spaceplane first made its orbital debut in 2020, launching for a brief, two-day mission before landing back at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. The spacecraft’s follow-up missions lasted for a significantly longer time in orbit. The spaceplane launched in August 2022 and spent 276 days in Earth orbit, and then again in December 2023 for a 268-day-long mission.
Over the course of its missions, the spaceplane carried out different orbital maneuvers, as well as capture and docking operations, formation flying, and vertical takeoff and horizontal landing.
Shenlong released unidentified objects during its prior missions, some of which even emitted various signals while in orbit. China has not announced or confirmed the deployment of these objects even after they were cataloged by the U.S. military.
The spaceplane’s fourth mission is no different. As LeoLabs stated, the recent activity is consistent with sub-satellite deployments carried out by the spaceplane on previous missions. The firm also added that the recently deployed object “did not correlate to any other object in our catalog.”
During its previous missions, Shenlong conducted several close maneuvers and capture operations with its deployed objects. We’ll have to wait and see what the spaceplane does with this new, unidentified object in orbit.
Another secret mission
China’s spaceplane is a product of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, a state-owned manufacturer that makes both civilian and military space launch vehicles.
Throughout Shenlong’s development, China has shared little information about the technical aspects of its spaceplane or its purpose. According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, the spaceplane “will conduct technological verification for reusable spacecraft, providing technical support for the peaceful use of space.”
With China keeping its spaceplane development under wraps, there is speculation that Shenlong could serve as a space weapon launch platform or a platform for surveillance, intelligence, and early-warning missions, according to the Secure World Foundation.
The U.S. Space Force also has its own spaceplane, the Boeing X-37. The experimental vehicle launched on its eighth mission (OTV-8) on August 21, 2025, to test in-orbit technologies meant to bolster military capabilities in space.
Both spaceplanes are currently in orbit without an announced landing date. While there is more publicly known information on the X-37, Shenlong continues to operate in secrecy.
