A Chinese experimental spacecraft, known as Shenlong, recently released an unidentified object while in Earth orbit. The spaceplane launched on February 7 for its fourth orbital mission. On June 22, 2026, space surveillance firm LeoLabs detected the unknown object near the spaceplane. LeoLabs confirmed that the object was deployed by the Shenlong spaceplane after analyzing data from its global network. The object was first observed by Kiwi Space Radar in New Zealand.
The Shenlong spaceplane made its orbital debut in 2020 and has since completed several missions, including one lasting 276 days in orbit. During its missions, the spaceplane has performed various orbital maneuvers and has previously released unidentified objects, some of which emitted signals while in orbit. China has not confirmed the deployment of these objects, even after they were cataloged by the U.S. military.
The Shenlong spaceplane is developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, a state-owned manufacturer. While China has not disclosed detailed information about the spaceplane's purpose, it has stated that it aims to conduct technological verification for reusable spacecraft. Speculation exists regarding its potential use for military purposes, including surveillance and intelligence operations. In comparison, the U.S. Space Force operates its own spaceplane, the Boeing X-37, which is also currently in orbit.