The third flight of the Chinese space plane Shenlong launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre on December 14, 2023. However, unlike its US military counterpart X-37B, very little information has been released about Shenlong’s capabilities or size. The maiden flight in 2020 lasted only two days and its second mission in August 2022 lasted for nine months. During this time, a subsatellite was reportedly ejected and recaptured several times to test various technologies.
After the launch, space activity trackers detected at least five objects that were released into low-Earth orbit, two of which emitted radio signals similar to those of the plane. However, it was later determined that these objects were likely debris from the Long March rocket that carried Shenlong to its initial orbit. Despite the lack of information about the current mission, it is known that the spaceplane raised its orbit from around 300km to 600km in late January and remains at that altitude.
Chinese space authorities have not yet disclosed details of Shenlong’s latest mission or return date. A brief report released by state media after the launch stated that the spaceplane would operate in orbit for a period before returning to its intended landing site in China. The report also indicated that the mission would focus on reusable technology verification and space science experiments aimed at supporting peaceful use of space.
