One expert suggested it could be a subsatellite or a piece of equipment that deorbited after being ejected by the test plane before the end of its mission.
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Reusable experimental spacecraft took off In December last year from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China, It appears to have deployed an unidentified object into orbit while on its third mission, mentioned This Sunday space news portal.
This event was first recorded by astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, and later confirmed by specialists from the US Space Force, who classified the mysterious object with the number 59884 (international designation 2023-195G).
What object was launched by the ship?
According to McDowell, the object associated with the CSSHQ experimental aircraft, which is in an orbit with a perigee of 602 kilometers and apogee of 608 kilometers, was launched into space last Friday.
It was also suggested that this object could be A subsatellite or part of an instrument that has been deorbited after being ejected by CSSHQ before the end of its mission. a an act This was already implemented during the spacecraft's maiden flight. He concluded by saying: “It will be interesting to know whether the plane will maneuver or land soon.”
For its part, Space News magazine reported that the body could be used for this Proximity and capture maneuvers. He also noted that CSSHQ launched an object for multiple recaptures as part of in-orbit testing on its second flight.
The first flight of the experimental spacecraft took place in 2020 and lasted about two days. As for the second, executed In 2022, it lasted 276 days. No Chinese authorities provided details regarding these flights.
CSSHQ is believed to be China's attempt to develop a spacecraft similar to US Air Force X-37BAn autonomous space plane can do that Serving In orbit for years.
