A Chinese space plane recently launched an unknown object into orbit. This mission, which began on December 14, 2023, has attracted significant international attention due to the secretive nature of the spacecraft and the ambiguity surrounding the objectives and characteristics of the released object.
Mission details and international observations
The Chinese spaceplane, which was launched aboard a Long March 2F rocket, initially entered an orbit with a perigee of 333 km, an apogee of 348 km and an inclination of 50 degrees. During its mission, the spacecraft performed a series of maneuvers, eventually raising its orbit to a higher altitude of approximately 602 by 609 kilometers.
The unknown object was released on May 24, 2024 and was first recorded by Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, a well-known tracker of space activities. This event was later confirmed by the US Space Force space domain awareness teams, who cataloged the object as 59884 (international designation 2023-195G).
A new object (59884/2023-195G) has been cataloged associated with the Chinese CSSHQ spaceplane in an orbit of 602 x 608 km x 50.0 degrees. It appears to have been ejected around 1900 UTC on May 24.
— Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) May 26, 2024
Speculation and secrecy
Chinese authorities have maintained strict secrecy about the spaceplane’s mission and purpose. Official statements were minimal, with the only public acknowledgment being a brief launch report stating that the spacecraft is intended for reusable technology verification and space science experiments.
This lipstick approach has led to several speculations about the true objectives of the mission. Analysts, including McDowell, have suggested that the released object could be a subsatellite deployment or a piece of hardware ejected before the spacecraft returned to Earth. Another possibility is that the object could be used for proximity and capture maneuvers, a capability demonstrated during the spaceplane’s previous mission.
Comparisons with the X-37B
The Chinese spaceplane is often compared to the US Air Force’s X-37B, an autonomous reusable spaceplane in service since 2010. Both spacecraft have similar features and functionalities, suggesting that the Chinese spaceplane could be an attempt to develop similar capabilities.
The Long March 2F rocket, which has a payload of just over eight tons in low Earth orbit, supports this idea, as does images of the wreckage of the payload fairing from the spaceplane’s second launch. These images, posted on social media site Sina Weibo, provide clues about the spacecraft’s size and shape.
Past missions and technological advancements
The Chinese spaceplane has now completed three missions. The first mission, launched in 2020, lasted two days. The second mission, which took place in 2022, lasted 276 days. Both missions involved releasing objects while in orbit, similar to the current mission.
On the third mission, launched in December 2023, the spacecraft spent 164 days in orbit from the object’s release. This mission included a series of orbital maneuvers to change altitude and trajectory, demonstrating the spacecraft’s advanced capabilities.
Strategic and technological implications of the Chinese spaceplane
The development and deployment of China’s spaceplane represents a significant advance in the country’s space capabilities. Reusable spacecraft offer the potential for lower costs and higher frequency of missions, making space more accessible and sustainable.
The ability to release and recapture objects in orbit also opens up new opportunities for satellite maintenance, in-orbit repairs, and debris removal, which are critical to maintaining the long-term sustainability of space operations.
However, the secrecy surrounding the spaceplane missions raises questions about the dual-use nature of the technology. Although the official statements emphasize peaceful scientific and technological objectives, the potential military applications cannot be overlooked. The ability to maneuver in orbit and deploy and retrieve objects could be harnessed for intelligence gathering, surveillance and even offensive operations in space.
Global responses and future developments
The international community, especially spacefaring countries, is closely monitoring Chinese spaceplane activities. The comparisons with the American X-37B highlight the strategic importance of such technology in the context of global space competition. As China continues to develop and refine its reusable spacecraft, it will likely play an increasingly prominent role in shaping the future of space exploration and use.
Going forward, the key questions revolve around how China will use its spaceplane technology and how other countries will respond. Greater transparency and international cooperation can help address concerns and promote the peaceful use of space. However, the current trajectory suggests that space travel is becoming an arena for strategic competition, with advanced technologies such as reusable space planes to the fore.
The release of the mysterious object by the Chinese space plane underlines the rapid progress and complex dynamics of modern space activities. As the mission progresses and more information becomes available, the world will be watching closely to understand the implications for the future of space exploration and security.
