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Shenlong

All articles tagged with #shenlong

space-exploration15 days ago•83 min saved

China’s Hidden Dragon Space Plane Drops Another Mysterious Payload

China’s Shenlong space plane has deployed a ninth unidentified object into low Earth orbit, detected on June 22 and later confirmed by observers (including Jonathan McDowell) to have originated from Shenlong and been tracked by the U.S. Space Force. While analysts speculate it could be a cubesat or a test payload for rendezvous maneuvers, its exact purpose remains unknown, reflecting ongoing secrecy around the program. Shenlong has spent hundreds of days in orbit across multiple missions, and observers contrast its secrecy with the U.S. X-37B’s comparatively more transparent disclosures.

via Live Science|

#china #shenlong #space-exploration

space-exploration18 days ago•96 min saved

Shenlong spaceplane reportedly deploys mystery object in orbit

LeoLabs observed an unknown object near China's Shenlong spaceplane on June 22, 2026, concluding it was released from the vehicle and cataloging it as a subsatellite. The event mirrors prior Shenlong missions that conducted sub-satellite deployments and rendezvous tests, though public mission objectives remain undisclosed and the implications—peaceful servicing versus potential strategic use—are a topic of discussion among observers.

via Space|

#leolabs #orbital-deployment #shenlong

space-and-spaceflight18 days ago•16 min saved

Shenlong Spaceplane Deploys Mysterious Object in Orbit

China’s Shenlong reusable spaceplane, on its fourth orbital mission, released an unidentified object in Earth orbit. LeoLabs confirmed the deployment near the spacecraft on June 22, 2026, noting the object did not match any catalog entry. Past Shenlong missions included long-duration orbits and sub-satellite deployments, but China has disclosed little about the program, fueling speculation about potential military, surveillance, or early-warning roles. Observers will monitor the object’s trajectory and any further spaceplane activity as the secrecy around Shenlong continues.

via Gizmodo|

#china #leolabs #low-earth-orbit

military19 days ago•14 min saved

China’s Shenlong spaceplane may have deployed an object into orbit, observers report

LeoLabs says China’s secretive Shenlong reusable spaceplane released an unknown object into a roughly 593-km circular low Earth orbit during its fourth mission, with the object first seen by Kiwi Space Radar in New Zealand and not yet catalogued in Space Force’s database as of reporting.

via SpaceNews|

#china #leolabs #military

world4 months ago•3 min saved

Greek-operated tanker threads Hormuz amid Iran tensions and oil market jitters

A Greek-operated tanker Shenlong loaded with Saudi crude sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, signaling that some commercial vessels continue navigating the chokepoint despite the Iran–Israel conflict. The ship, headed to Mumbai, last reported inside the strait on March 8. Iran has warned it will fire on passing ships, keeping observers wary as oil markets monitor potential disruptions; prices spiked above $119 a barrel, and activity at Hormuz appeared cautious with several vessels turning AIS off or anchoring.

via Reuters|

#hormuz-strait #iran-tensions #oil-markets

science4 months ago•40 min saved

China’s Shenlong space plane kicks off its fourth orbital mission in secrecy

China’s Shenlong reusable space plane has kicked off its fourth orbital mission from Jiuquan, but the mission’s specifics remain secret; observers note Shenlong has previously conducted rendezvous and proximity operations with satellites and may deploy small payloads. Experts say these activities raise space-security questions, but the craft’s limited payload and power make it unlikely to be an immediate weapon, and they call for greater transparency from authorities.

via Yahoo|

#china #low-earth-orbit #rendezvous

space-exploration4 months ago•55 min saved

China's Shenlong space plane returns on 4th mission, its purpose still unclear

China’s Shenlong, a robotic reusable space plane, launched its fourth orbital mission from Jiuquan on Feb. 6. Details remain scarce, but analysts say the mission likely tests technologies for future reusable space access and has conducted rendezvous/proximity operations with deployed satellites, a capability likened to the U.S. X-37B. Experts caution about the anti-satellite implications, though the exact payloads and objectives are not disclosed.

via Space|

#china #rendezvous #shenlong

space2 years ago•2 min saved

"China's Spaceplane Deploys 7th Mysterious Object in Orbit"

China's reusable space plane, Shenlong, has released another unknown object into Earth's orbit during its third mission. The object, cataloged by the U.S. Space Force, could be a subsatellite or hardware ejected before deorbiting. This follows previous similar activities by Shenlong, which has been in orbit for 168 days. The mission aims to verify reusable technology and conduct space science experiments.

via Space.com|

#china #orbital-object #reusable-technology

space2 years ago•2 min saved

"China's Space Plane Deploys Mysterious Orbital Object"

China's reusable space plane, Shenlong, has released another unknown object into Earth's orbit after 168 days in space. The object, cataloged by the U.S. Space Force, could be a subsatellite or hardware ejected before the mission's end. This follows similar activities from previous missions, with the space plane conducting reusable technology verification and space science experiments.

via Yahoo! Voices|

#china #orbital-object #reusable-technology

space2 years ago•2 min saved

China's Secretive Spaceplane Deploys 7th Mysterious Object in Orbit

China's secretive Shenlong space plane released an unidentified object 372 miles above Earth, believed to be a small satellite or hardware. The U.S. Space Force has been tracking the plane since its launch in December 2022. The Shenlong, similar to the U.S. Boeing X-37B, has been in orbit for 276 days. Chinese officials have not disclosed details about the object or the plane's activities, maintaining that it is for peaceful space science experiments.

via Livescience.com|

#china #satellite #shenlong

space2 years ago•1 min saved

China's Secret Spaceplane Releases Mysterious Object, US Monitors

The US is tracking a mysterious object in orbit linked to China's Shenlong spaceplane, which launched in December. This object, noted by astronomer Jonathan McDowell, could be a subsatellite or ejected hardware. The Shenlong spaceplane is testing reusable technology, and similar unidentified objects were released during its previous missions. The US Space Force is monitoring the situation, with little information available from China.

via Newser|

#china #reusable-technology #shenlong

space2 years ago•3 min saved

China's Secret Spaceplane Deploys Unknown Object in Orbit

China's top-secret spaceplane, Shenlong, has released a mysterious object into Earth's orbit, raising concerns and speculation about its purpose. The US Space Force is monitoring the situation, but the object's function remains unknown. This event follows a pattern of similar activities by the spaceplane, which has previously released objects emitting strong signals over North America. The spaceplane's mission and capabilities are being closely watched, with comparisons drawn to the US's X-37B spaceplane.

via Daily Mail|

#china #orbital-object #shenlong

space2 years ago•8 min saved

"China's Space Ambitions Soar: From Satellites to Space Planes"

The Chinese Space Plane, Shenlong, has begun its third orbital mission, with no indication of how long it will remain in orbit. The spacecraft is similar in size to the American X-37B and is expected to be useful for up to 20 launches. The X-37B, developed by NASA and now operated by the U.S. Air Force, has completed multiple secretive orbital missions, testing new technologies and releasing small satellites. Both the Chinese and American spaceplanes have raised speculation about their activities in orbit, including the potential use of unregistered cubesats for testing new anti-satellite weapons.

via Strategy Page|

#chinese-space-plane #cubesats #orbital-missions

space2 years ago•2 min saved

China's Spaceplane Haunted by Six Mysterious Objects in Orbit

China's experimental robotic spacecraft, Shenlong, has launched its third test mission and has been observed deploying six unidentified objects, referred to as "wingmen" by amateur skywatchers. These objects, designated OBJECT A to F, emit various signals, with some carrying small amounts of information. The emissions from OBJECT A resemble those of previous Chinese space plane "wingman" emissions, while OBJECT D and OBJECT E emit signals without any data. Amateur astronomers speculate on the purpose of these objects, while the US, with its own secretive X-37B space plane, is likely monitoring the situation closely.

via ScienceAlert|

#china #satellite-tracking #shenlong

space2 years ago•2 min saved

Chinese Spaceplane's Mysterious Wingmen: Signals and Patterns in Orbit

China's secretive spaceplane, Shenlong, has released six mysterious objects into Earth's orbit during its third mission. Amateur astronomer Scott Tilley has been tracking the objects, which are emitting various signals. One object appears to closely follow the spaceplane, while others emit intermittent signals without accompanying data. This is not the first time the spaceplane has released mysterious objects into orbit, and given the secrecy surrounding China's space program, their purpose remains unknown.

via Futurism|

#chinese-spaceplane #mystery #orbital-objects