China's Shenlong Space Plane Sparks Intrigue with Six Mystery Objects in Earth Orbit

China's reusable spacecraft, the Shenlong, translated as the "Divine Dragon", has added an extra layer of intrigue.

A mere five days post its third mission launch, the robotic space plane appears to have deployed six objects into Earth's orbit. Enthusiasts tracking these objects globally have diligently observed them for days, noting emissions emanating from some of the deployed entities.

Mysterious Objects in Orbit

Designated as OBJECT A, B, C, D, E, and F, the six enigmatic entities have caught the attention of Scott Tilley, an amateur astronomer and satellite tracker. His observations reveal that OBJECT A is emitting signals reminiscent of those released by objects from China's space plane in its previous missions.

Tilley speculates about the possibility that the emitted signals from OBJECT A may be linked to another nearby object. However, there is currently no solid evidence to support this speculation. On the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Tilley playfully refers to these mysterious entities as "wingmen," sharing his insights on the phenomenon.

OBJECT D and E, conversely, emit intermittent signals described as "placeholders" lacking accompanying data. In contrast to earlier emissions in Chinese space plane missions, these signals are short-lived and irregular. Tilley underscores the need for prolonged observations using dish antennas spanning several days to accumulate this data.

The analysis undertaken by Tilley and fellow satellite trackers indicates that the emissions either originate directly from the objects or in their immediate vicinity. This deduction is drawn from monitoring the objects along their expected trajectories in the sky, the absence of other recognized objects in the antenna beams during data collection, and the unique modulation of signals. This modulation has been exclusively observed in past Chinese space plane missions utilizing a frequency of 2280MHz.

In conclusion, while sharing a comparable orbit with its predecessors, this current Chinese space plane mission displays unique radio characteristics. Tilley highlights the unprecedented emissions from OBJECT D and E, suggesting the potential oversight of intermittent signals in past missions.

He also underscores the importance of closely monitoring possible encounters between OBJECT A and OBJECTs D and E, given their distinct orbits and the impending proximity during perigee in the upcoming days.

Not the First Time China Deployed Mysterious Objects From Its Space Plane

The new objects in orbit are not the first time this happened as China's space plane exhibited comparable conduct in its two preceding missions.

In September 2020 and August 2022 launches, the spacecraft was observed deploying a small, unidentified object into Earth's orbit. Speculations surrounding these objects range from potential service modules to test articles for practicing payload placement or even small satellites designed to monitor the space plane's activities.

The synchronized timing of the two reusable space plane launches is not coincidental, according to General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations for the U.S. Space Force. He remarked in a recent conference that these objects are among the most closely monitored while in orbit, suggesting a deliberate effort by China to align with the United States in terms of launch timing and sequence.

In a parallel scenario, the United States operates its own reusable robotic space plane, the Boeing-manufactured X-37B, which, similar to China's Shenlong space plane, maintains a shroud of secrecy surrounding its operations and capabilities. The U.S. Space Force is currently scheduled to launch the X-37B atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on December 28, following several delays.

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