Erik Simonsen / Pixels
The Shenron was launched in February for its fourth mission, but there remains little information about the experimental vehicle.
An experimental Chinese spacecraft currently in Earth orbit recently released an unknown object, raising new unanswered questions about ongoing tests of the reusable vehicle.
China’s space plane, known as the , or Divine Dragon, was launched in February for its .
On Monday, space surveillance company LeoLabs detected a unknown object in the vicinity of the space plane. The object was first observed by Kiwi Space Radarfrom LeoLabs in New Zealand, and later confirmed to have been released by the space plane.
“Following additional observations across our global network and analysis through LeoLabs Delta, we independently cataloged this object and assessed with a high degree of confidence that it was launched by Chinese space plane“, wrote LeoLabs on X.
At 02:30 UTC on 22 June 2026, LeoLabs detected an unknown object in the vicinity of the Chinese Shenlong reusable spaceplane.
This object did not correlate to any other object in our catalog. It was first observed by our Tracker radar in New Zealand.
— LeoLabs (@LeoLabs_Space)
The Chinese space plane made its orbital debut in 2020on a brief two-day mission, before landing again at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, in the Gobi Desert, notes Gizmdo.
The ship’s next missions lasted much longer in orbit. The space plane was launched in August 2022 and spent 276 days in Earth orbit, before being launched again in December 2023 for a 268-day mission.
Throughout its missions, the space plane carried out different orbital maneuversas well as capture and docking operations, formation flying, vertical take-off and horizontal landing.
In previous Shenron missions, some of which even emit multiple signals in orbit. China did not announce or confirm the release of these objects, even after they were cataloged by the US military.
A qFourth space plane mission is no different. As LeoLabs stated, recent activity is consistent with the release of subsatellites performed by the space plane in previous missions. The company further added that the recently released object “did not correspond to any other object in our catalogue.”
During previous missions, Shenron performed several approach maneuvers and thecapture operations with the objects you released. We just have to wait and see what the space plane will do with this new unidentified object in orbit.
Another secret mission
The Chinese space plane is a product of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, a state-owned enterprise that manufactures both civilian and military space launch vehicles.
Throughout the development of Shenron, China released little informationo about the technical aspects of the space plane or its objective. According to the Chinese state news agency, the space plane will carry out “tests of technological verification for reusable spacecraft, providing technical support to peaceful use of space“.
As China keeps its spaceplane development away from public scrutiny, there is speculation that Shenlong could serve as a spacecraft platform. launch of space weapons or for surveillance, intelligence and early warning missions, according to the Secure World Foundation.
The United States Space Force also has its own space plane, the . The experimental vehicle was launched for its eighth mission, OTV-8, on August 21, 2025, to test in-orbit technologies aimed at strengthening military capabilities in space.
Both spaceplanes are currently in orbit, with no landing date announced. Although there is more public information about X-37, Shenron continues to operate in secret.
