China’s experimental reusable spacecraft, during its third mission, released an unidentified object into orbit.

This event was cataloged by U.S. Space Force as object 59884 (International designator 2023-195G).

The spacecraft, suspected to be a spaceplane, launched on December 14, 2023, and released the object on May 24 after 164 days in orbit.

Jonathan McDowell from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics suggested the object might be a subsatellite or hardware ejected before deorbit.

It could also be for proximity and capture maneuvers, similar to tests conducted during the spaceplane’s second mission.

China has kept details about the mission confidential, only issuing a brief launch report stating that the mission aims to verify reusable technology and conduct space science experiments, Space News reported.

This spacecraft is believed to be China’s effort to match the capabilities of the U.S. Air Force’s X-37B, indicating a significant advancement in space technology.

Launched by a Long March 2F rocket, the spacecraft likely has a payload capacity similar to the X-37B. Images of the payload fairing wreckage from a previous launch, posted on social media, suggest the spacecraft’s possible dimensions and shape.

Written by B.C. Begley