China's highly secretive spaceplane has deployed an enigmatic object into Earth's orbit, positioned just 372 miles above the surface. The US Space Force is actively monitoring the situation, yet the purpose behind the ejection of the object on May 24 remains undisclosed.

A Harvard astrophysicist was the first to observe the object, suggesting that it could be either a subsatellite deployment or a piece of hardware released before the spaceplane concludes its mission and deorbits.

Named Shenlong, after a spirit dragon from Chinese mythology, the craft was launched in December last year. Since then, it has been noted to release multiple objects into orbit, with some emitting strong signals over North America.

China has maintained a high level of secrecy regarding the spaceplane, describing its purpose solely as providing 'technical support for the peaceful use of space.' The craft was launched one day after the United States cancelled the flight of its 'spy' plane, a move deemed by General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations for the US Space Force, as 'no coincidence.'

General Saltzman remarked, 'It's likely not a coincidence that they are attempting to match us in timing and sequence of this.'

While China's spaceplane has attracted less attention in recent times, the appearance of the mysterious object has sparked concerns. Jonathan McDowell, from the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics, initially detected the object and shared his observations.

McDowell suggested that the object could either be a subsatellite deployment or a piece of hardware ejected before the mission's conclusion and subsequent deorbiting.

McDowell noted, "This object could be a subsatellite deployment, or it could be a piece of hardware ejected prior to end of the mission and deorbit (the spaceplane's first flight did something similar)." He added, "It will be interesting to see if the plane manoeuvres or lands soon."

In December, amateur astronomer Scott Tilley was monitoring China's spaceplane when it released six objects, emitting signals detected over North America. Tilley speculated that the signals were aimed at a ground station or boat near his location in British Columbia, Canada.

He observed that when the spaceplane passed over him, it emitted signals predominantly along a trajectory favouring a location south to southwest of his position.

Tilley has collaborated with a Swiss group specialising in optical-band space surveillance to closely monitor China's spaceplane since its launch on December 15. The spaceplane is currently on its third mission, with US officials noting that its capabilities are somewhat akin to America's X-37B, which was launched on December 29, 2023.

The launch followed over two weeks of false starts and delays attributed to adverse weather conditions and unspecified technical issues, prompting ground crews to return the spacecraft to its hangar. This launch occurred two weeks after China's spaceplane embarked on its third orbit mission since 2020.

The US-built X-37B, comparable in size to a small bus and resembling a miniature space shuttle, is designed to deploy various payloads and conduct technology experiments during its years-long orbital flights. Although the duration of the latest X-37B mission has not been publicly disclosed, it is expected to continue until at least June 2026, following the trend of progressively longer flights.

Image source: The Daily Mail