China’s third test mission for its reusable robotic spacecraft will involve sending six small objects, tentatively dubbed “wingplanes” by intrigued amateur skywatchers, into orbit. continues to provoke speculation.
The experimental orbital plane, named Shenlong (meaning “God’s Dragon” in Chinese), was launched aboard a Long March 2D rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Thursday, December 14, and then in September It fell into low orbit similar to the previous test mission conducted in . August 2020 and 2022.
It is speculated that unidentified objects were tracked by the spacecraft during these missions as well. Andrew Jones at SpaceNews It would consist of an “inspection satellite” meant to track the test vehicle and potentially assist in its safe return to the surface.
Based on radio emissions, the object is likely to be a small one developed by China banking satellite It was previously used to relay images from other spacecraft.
Four days after its latest launch, Shenron deployed six unique objects, designated Objects A through F by the satellite tracking community.
Amateur astronomer Scott Tilley called the object on X the “mysterious wingman.” As he explained, Brett Tingley of Space.comthe radiation from each device exhibits mixed signals, with only some carrying a small amount of information.
More interesting observations from China’s “spaceplane” launch. Object D is also radiating intermittently in the S band using the same modulation as object A. @plugger_lockett Data was recorded yesterday in the Perth AU area.
pic.twitter.com/iS4CzW3Ti6
— Scott Tilley
(@coastal8049) December 17, 2023
“The radiation at or near Object A is reminiscent of the ‘wingman’ radiation of early Chinese spaceplanes in the sense that the signal is modulated with a limited amount of data.” Tilly said to Tingley. on mail.
Conversely, objects D and E presented signals without data, and their emissions appeared to act as placeholders. Unlike previous missions, the signal was intermittent, requiring ground observers to work together over several days to gather enough detail.
Satellite trackers who gave in may have missed the signal on previous missions as well, had it been a brief blip, but Tilley believes there is something a little different about this mission. ing.
“What we need to be aware of is the close encounter between object A and objects D and E. D and E are in fairly elliptical orbits, while A is in a nearly circular orbit.” he said to tingley.
While amateur astronomers around the world share their theories about what China’s mysterious spacecraft is up to, there’s no doubt that the United States is quietly watching with its own vested interests in mind.
Boeing’s experimental reusable spaceplane, the X-37B, has much in common with China’s Shenlong, not least its secretive development.
At this stage, there are few details about its purpose or capabilities, which began at the end of the last century as part of NASA’s X-37 project and became a U.S. Department of Defense project in 2004.
Another X-37B test flight is scheduled for Dec. 28, and the world’s two largest spaceflight powers will take great care of each other’s new toys while closely guarding their own security. There is little doubt that there is, and the rest of the world can only be guessed at. what’s happening above your head?
