China’s Shenlong reusable space plane has reportedly released an unidentified object while in orbit, according to a private space tracking firm.

The vehicle launched on its fourth classified mission in February 2026, but its objectives have not been publicly disclosed.

LeoLabs said radar observations and analysis indicate the object was likely deployed from the space plane and later catalogued by the U.S. Space Force.

Shenlong has shown similar behavior on past missions, including possible subsatellite releases and debris separation, though some earlier detections were later reclassified, Space.com has reported.

Experts say such deployments may be linked to rendezvous and proximity operations, which can have both civilian and potential military applications in space.