China’s top-secret Shenlong space plane, on its third mission, has released six enigmatic objects into Earth’s orbit, stirring up curiosity and speculation in the global space community.
Launched from the Gobi Desert on December 14, the reusable spaceplane, as reported by the state-run news agency Xinhua, is aimed at testing reusable spaceplane technologies and conducting scientific experiments. However, amateur astronomer and satellite tracker Scott Tilley has observed that upon reaching orbit, the spacecraft released six objects, all emitting varying signals.
The Mystery Deepens with Intermittent Signals
The US Space Force is tracking these objects, designated OBJECT A through F by the US Department of Defense. OBJECT A, in particular, seems to be closely following the spaceplane. Tilley’s analysis suggests that OBJECT B is likely the spaceplane itself, with OBJECT A and B in similar orbits and proximity.
Speculations and Concerns
Tilley notes that unlike previous missions, the emissions from these objects are intermittent and do not stay on long. There’s a possibility that A, D, and E might make close approaches with each other given their orbits.
Last year, similar occurrences were reported when the US Space Force tracked an object released during Shenlong’s second mission. During its inaugural mission in 2020, the spaceplane released an object two orbits into its journey, which continued broadcasting S-band transmissions for weeks.
Allegations of Clandestine Activities
Tilley, who previously aided NASA in locating its lost IMAGE satellite, speculates that the spaceplane might be signaling a covert ground station on North America’s west coast or a ship off the coast. These allegations, reported by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), stem from Tilley’s detection of strong emissions at 2280 MHz, which he believes could indicate a clandestine communication setup.
Are the X-37B and the Chinese Space Plane Launches Related?
Shenlong, often compared to the US’ X-37B, has been under close observation by satellite trackers, including a Swiss team specializing in optical-band space surveillance. The X-37B, part of the US military’s inventory, has flown six missions, showcasing the capabilities of reusable space technology. The X-37 is slated to launch on it’s seventh orbital mission on December 28th. That mission is expected to place the X-37 in a much higher orbit than on previous missions. Experts believe it is unlikely that the X-37 and the Chinese spaceplane are tasked with spying on each other, as their orbits will not intersect and are slated to be far apart.
The Bigger Picture
The recent Shenlong mission and its mysterious activities underscore the ongoing advancements and secrecy in space technologies, particularly in military applications. While the precise objectives of China’s spaceplane and the nature of the released objects remain unclear, the incident highlights the complexities and strategic importance of space exploration and its potential military implications.
China’s space program, while advancing rapidly, maintains a veil of secrecy, especially regarding missions like Shenlong’s. This secrecy fuels speculation and adds to the intrigue in the global space community. As more nations invest in space technology, such developments are likely to become more frequent, raising questions about the intentions and potential uses of such technologies.
As of now, the nature and purpose of the six objects released by Shenlong remain a mystery, with space enthusiasts and experts around the world eagerly watching for further developments.
