China's Mysterious Space Plane Caught on Camera

Satellite Watcher Captures Images of Third Mission

Experimental Spacecraft Releases Unknown Object into Orbit

July 25, 2024 (Reuters) - China's enigmatic space plane, currently on its third mission, has been captured on camera by a satellite watcher. The images provide a rare glimpse into the secretive operations of the reusable spacecraft, which has been under development for years.

The space plane, known as Shenlong, was first launched in September 2023 and has since conducted two additional missions. Its purpose and capabilities remain unknown, but experts believe it could be used for a variety of military or civilian applications, including surveillance, reconnaissance, or anti-satellite operations.

The latest images, taken by an amateur satellite observer, show Shenlong releasing an unknown object into orbit around Earth. The nature of the object is not known, but it has sparked speculation that it could be a satellite, a weapon, or even a space station.

China has not publicly commented on the space plane or its missions, but the satellite images have raised concerns among some observers about the potential military implications of the technology. The United States, in particular, has expressed concern about the secrecy surrounding China's space program and the lack of transparency about its intentions.