Chinese spacecraft launches strange object into space again

China's Shenlong spacecraft launched a strange object into orbit, 598 km above the ground, on May 24, according to the Daily Mail on May 28.

Simulation image of China's Shenlong spacecraft

SPACE.COM SCREENSHOT

The spacecraft was launched on December 15, 2023, on its third mission since 2020. Just four days after its launch, amateur observers discovered that the spacecraft had released six mysterious objects into space. After several days of monitoring, they recorded that these objects were emitting signals. In previous missions, Shenlong was also said to have released objects into space.

The US Space Force said it was monitoring the situation but the specific purpose of the launches, including the most recent one on May 24, was unknown.

Chinese spacecraft launches strange object into space again

Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (USA) was the first person to discover the object and share information on social network X.

“This object could be a satellite or it could be a piece of hardware that was released before the end of the mission and left orbit, similar to what the spacecraft did on its first flight. It would be interesting to see if the spacecraft moved or landed early,” McDowell wrote.

Amateur astronomer Scott Tilley, who has been tracking the Chinese spacecraft since December 2023, said the objects it launched were emitting signals in North America. He believes the signals were aimed at a ground station or ship near his home province of British Columbia, Canada.

The Shenlong is a reusable spacecraft. It was launched on a Long March 2F rocket and will remain in orbit for a period of time before returning to Earth and landing like an airplane. The United States also operates a similar reusable spacecraft called the X-37B, built by Boeing. Little is known about the X-37B's exact operations or capabilities.

China has not specified the mission of the Shenlong spacecraft. Xinhua reported last year that during its orbital mission, the spacecraft will carry out verification of reusable technologies and scientific experiments in space, aiming to provide technical support for the peaceful use of space.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phi-thuyen-trung-quoc-lai-phong-vat-the-la-ra-ngoai-khong-gian-185240529162135356.htm