US military and space security experts believe China’s Shenlong (Dragon) spacecraft could be used to test military technology in orbit.

During the interview with the agency Reuters Some of the Shenlong unmanned space plane’s recent maneuvers suggest it could also be used to combat satellites, experts said.

At the end of May and the beginning of June 2024, the Chinese spacecraft released unknown objects into orbit, which first moved away from the craft and then approached it. It was likely that they were related to special satellites or some of the equipment that would monitor the maneuvering performance of the spacecraft before the end of its mission and its return to Earth.

But experts now believe the Chinese spacecraft may have tested military technology, including maneuvers that could have been performed during the spacecraft’s launch, jamming and even capturing satellites. China may also test technology to capture satellites for refueling in orbit.