&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "China's secretive Shenlong space plane releases mystery object in orbit. What is Beijing up to?")
China's secretive Shenlong space plane has once again sparked intrigue among space watchers after reportedly releasing an unidentified object while orbiting Earth. According to commercial space tracking firm LeoLabs, the object was detected on June 22 near Shenlong, which has been in orbit since launching on its fourth mission in February this year.
What did China release in space?
"At 02:30 UTC on 22 June 2026, LeoLabs detected an unknown object in the vicinity of the Chinese Shenlong reusable space plane," LeoLabs said in a post on X. After tracking the object across its global radar network, LeoLabs said it had “assessed with high confidence that it was released from the Chinese spaceplane."
Also read | 'Message from space': Did CIA destroy an alien message? Newly released UFO files reveal bizarre 1958 mystery
The newly detected object has since been catalogued by the US Space Force, according to astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell.
What is Shenlong?
Shenlong, which translates to "Divine Dragon", is China's reusable space plane programme. Much like the US military's X-37B space plane, Shenlong launches atop a rocket but is designed to return and land on a runway like a conventional aircraft.
China has released very little information about the vehicle, and most details about it have emerged through satellite tracking and telescope observations conducted by independent researchers.
The space plane was launched on February 6 aboard a Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert. Beijing did not disclose the mission's objectives.
Not China's first mysterious deployment
According to Space, this is not the first time Shenlong has attracted attention for unusual activity in orbit.
Trending Stories
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
In 2024, observers reported that the spacecraft may have deployed a small subsatellite or ejected an unnecessary piece of hardware before returning to Earth. Earlier missions also generated speculation after multiple objects appeared near the spacecraft, though some were later identified as launch-related debris.
Astronomers have additionally reported signs that Shenlong may deploy solar arrays while in orbit, suggesting it can remain operational for extended periods.
Also read | Scientists discover world's largest 'whale graveyard' hidden 7km beneath the Indian Ocean
Why are experts watching closely?
According to SpaceNews, one possibility is that China is testing rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), a capability that allows spacecraft to manoeuvre close to other satellites.
Wile such technology has legitimate civilian uses, including satellite inspection, servicing and refuelling, it also has military applications including tamper with adversary satellites in orbit.
China is not alone in developing such technologies. Russia has conducted similar manoeuvres with so-called inspector satellites, while the United States is also believed to be pursuing advanced orbital servicing and proximity-operation capabilities.
