China's Shenlong Spaceplane Releases Mystery Object | KeepTrack Space Brief
China's Shenlong spaceplane released an unidentified object in orbit, drawing scrutiny amid U.S. Space Force Victus Haze RPO demonstrations. Tracking data critical.
Launch Date
July 28, 2012
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC133/3
Launch Vehicle
Rokot
NORAD ID
38736
International Designator
2012-041D
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 07:40:28 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
82.48°
Right Ascension
60.11°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
17.72°
Period
115.76 min
Mean Motion
12.44 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
GONETS-M 4
Alternative Name
Gonets-M No. 15L
Type
Status
Owner
GONETS
Country
Russia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 38736U 12041D 26185.31977848 .00000065 00000-0 38922-3 0 9992
2 38736 82.4781 60.1052 0025911 17.7246 342.4732 12.43904991625086
Source: Celestrak
Length
1.6
Diameter
0.8
Span
7
Dry Mass
280
Launch Mass
280
Shape
Cyl + Ant
Radar Cross Section
1.704
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Gonets-M No. 15L
Purpose
Communication, Store-Dump
Mission
Communication, Store-Dump
Manufacturer
RESH
Life Expectancy
5-7 years
Bus
Strela-3
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
2 deployable fixed solar arrays, solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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China's Shenlong spaceplane released an unidentified object in orbit, drawing scrutiny amid U.S. Space Force Victus Haze RPO demonstrations. Tracking data critical.
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