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Chinese space plane releases unidentified object into orbit
A U.S. space surveillance firm tracked the release of an unknown object from China's Reusable Experimental Spacecraft on June 22. The object has been catalogued by the U.S. Space Force, but its purpose remains undetermined.
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An American space surveillance firm detected China's Reusable Experimental Spacecraft releasing an unidentified object into orbit on June 22. m. using equipment in New Zealand. " The firm noted the release matches sub-satellite deployments observed during the spacecraft's prior missions.
Background on the spacecraft The Reusable Experimental Spacecraft has completed three previous missions totaling about 500 days in orbit. It has performed rendezvous and proximity operations, approaching other objects at close range. Chinese officials have not commented on the craft's purpose or the nature of the released object.
Professor Jonathan McDowell of Durham University's Space Research Centre said the object has been recorded by the U.S. Space Force. " He suggested that future retrieval of the object by the space plane would provide clearer information on its capabilities.
The spacecraft is one of the China National Space Administration's most closely held programs, with limited public information available about its design or function. Amateur astronomer Felix Schöfbänker captured the only publicly released images of the craft in 2024, showing solar panels not present in official renderings.
