China's Spaceplane Released Unidentified Object into Orbit, US Space Force Unveils

In a recent event, the U.S. Space Force's 18th Space Defense Squadron reportedly spotted an item near the spaceplane. On Oct. 31, the Space-track.org system included a new entry for an object in a comparable orbit to the spacecraft (NORAD ID 54218 (2022-093J COSPAR ID)).

Based on US Space Force monitoring data, China's stealthy reusable spaceplane has launched an item into orbit. China launched its second "reusable experimental spacecraft" near Jiuquan in the Gobi Desert on August 4 atop a Long March 2F rocket, as reported by The Byte.

The spacecraft has currently been in space for 90 days. Two weeks ago, the spacecraft boosted its perigee (the point in its trajectory where a spacecraft is nearest to Earth) to achieve a near-circular 597 by 608 km orbit. The thing, the nature of which was undetermined, is most likely quite close to the spacecraft and was thus only included in the database when it was determined to be a distinct, discrete item with a great deal of confidence.

China's Series of Releasing Unknown Space Things

According to Orbital Focus' Robert Christy, the item might have been released at any time between October 24 and October 31, while executing station-keeping to stay near the spaceplane. China hasn't provided any information on the mission since a brief statement announcing the spacecraft's launch. The vessel has not been photographed.

This is certainly not the first instance an item has been expelled from the spaceship. After its initial two-day flight in Sept 2020, China's spaceplane ejected an item about two orbits until deorbiting. For weeks after that, the object continued to send S-band transmissions.

One theory suggests that the thing is a tiny satellite used to monitor the spaceplane. Previously, Chinese crew capsules launched 'Banxing' tiny companion satellites for surveillance purposes. It might also serve as a practice run for launching tiny satellite packages into orbit. Another possibility is that the item is a servicing module, as noticed by astrophysicist and spacecraft analyst Jonathan McDowell in a tweet.

There is little information available regarding China's spaceplane project. Chinese space officials have kept launch activities under wraps, only revealing the spacecraft's two missions after it was in orbit. The dimensions and form of the ship were revealed in August, with putative photos of the mission's payload fairing circulating online.

The US Space Force reported that China has released an unknown space object into orbit.

(Photo : Boeing)
China's “reusable experimental spacecraft” is thought to resemble the Boeing X-37B spaceplane, seen above. The US Space Force reported that China has released an unknown space object into orbit.

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Possible Linked Projects to the Unknown Space Objects

The spacecraft appears to be linked to the creation of an orbital segment of a completely recyclable two-stage-to-orbit space transit system. A suborbital section with a vectored thrust and horizontal landing flew for the second time this year in September. The Natural Science Foundation of China recently granted the project national money.

As stated by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), which would be developing the automobiles, the project is seen to assist the construction of China's technological and academic power, aerospace power, and transport systems power, and it has practical social, technical, economic, and other implementation values.

It is uncertain exactly how long the spaceship will remain in orbit, but it is expected to land there at the Lop Nur facility in Xinjiang like it did on its initial voyage. Satellite imagery indicates recent activity around the landing location. Christy's study of the spaceplane's orbit reveals that the mission had a chance to deorbit as well as land near Lop Nur, the location of the previous mission's landing, late Nov. 1 UTC.

Other proposals for reusable spacecraft or spaceplanes are being considered in China. The China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp. (CASIC) is developing its spaceplane, Tengyun, while commercial business Space Transportation secured more than $46.3 million last year for its hypersonic spaceplane aspirations. Several Chinese aerospace firms have also developed demonstrations, including miniature orbital maneuvers operating atop liquid rocket designs.