Chinese experimental reusable device, which is currently on a mission in Earth orbit, carried out an unexpected maneuver - launched an unknown object into outer space.
Shenlong space plane ("Divine Dragon") began its fourth orbital mission 7 February. Soon after, space monitoring company LeoLabs spotted an unidentified body next to him. First, the mysterious object got on the radar of the Kiwi Space Radar station
in New Zealand, after which analysts finally confirmed its origin. LeoLabs made additional observations, analyzed the data in the Delta system and cataloged this object. The company claims with high confidence, that it was launched precisely from a Chinese spacecraft.
The deployment of unknown satellites is not the first time for Shenlong. During past missions, the device has already left behind objects, some of which even emitted specific radio signals. The US military routinely catalogs these bodies, however, Beijing continues to remain absolutely silent, without confirming their deployment.
Representatives of LeoLabs emphasize, that the new cargo of the fourth mission is unique and "does not match any other object in the database". Previously, Shenlong was actively maneuvering alongside its launched sub-satellites, тож астрономи продовжують пильно стежити за тим, що він робитиме з новим об’єктом цього разу.
Розробкою космічного літака займається Китайська академія технологій ракет-носіїв – державна корпорація, яка створює як цивільну, так і військову техніку. During the entire period of work on the project, official China almost did not disclose any technical characteristics of the device or its ultimate purpose. The state media only notes, що корабель «здійснює технологічну перевірку багаторазових систем для забезпечення технічної підтримки мирного використання космосу».
Due to this level of secrecy in the world community, experts from the Safe World Foundation assume, that the Shenlong could be a test platform for the deployment of space weapons, testing early warning systems or conducting deep orbital reconnaissance.
Source: https://universemagazine.com/sekretnyj-kosmoplan-shenlong-vypustyv-u-kosmos-zagadkovyj-obyekt/