Science & Tech · Space · 45 mins ago
US intelligence report reveals rare image of China’s secretive spaceplane
A new US Defence Intelligence Agency report includes a rare satellite image of China’s spaceplane, taken by Maxar Technologies in 2024.
The uncrewed craft, widely identified as China’s reusable spaceplane Shenlong, is designed to operate in orbit and return to Earth.
Its shape resembles the US Space Force’s X-37B, another reusable vehicle that carries out classified missions.
China’s first known test flight lasted two days in 2020, while later missions lasted 276 days and 268 days.
The report says the later flights appeared to involve tests of approaches and interactions with objects in orbit.
It warns that China is expanding its ability to track US forces and could deploy space-based directed-energy weapons by the late 2020s.
Shenlong’s full capabilities remain unclear, and the sources give no confirmed details of its next steps.
The US Defense Intelligence Agency has published a rare, high-resolution public image of China’s secretive Shenlong spaceplane.
The image was taken by Maxar Technologies in 2024 and appears in the DIA’s latest space-security report.
It shows the craft from below, including rear-facing solar panel arrays, and resembles the US Space Force’s X-37B.
The DIA says China’s first three known spaceplane missions launched in 2020, 2022 and December 2023.
The latest report also warns of China’s expanding space capabilities, including the possibility of space-based directed-energy weapons by the late 2020s.
- Who
- China’s Shenlong spaceplane and the US Defense Intelligence Agency.
- What
- The DIA released a rare, detailed image of the Chinese spacecraft in a report on space security.
- When
- The image was taken in 2024; the report was published in October 2026.
- Where
- The image shows the spacecraft in orbit. The report includes it on page 53.
- Why
- The report assesses space-related security issues and the capabilities of China and other countries.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
China’s first known spaceplane mission launched and remained in orbit for two days.
China’s second known mission spent 276 days in orbit.
China’s third known mission launched and spent 268 days in orbit.
Maxar Technologies took the image later included in the DIA report.
The DIA’s latest space-security report featuring the image was published.
- Image credit
- Maxar Technologies
- Image year
- 2024
- Report page
- 53
- First mission
- 2020; two days in orbit
- Second mission
- 2022; 276 days in orbit
- Third mission
- Launched December 2023; 268 days in orbit
5 sources
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China's spaceplane bears striking resemblance to America's X-37B
US warns China is expanding its space toolkit with spaceplane and energy weapons
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What people are saying
released and interacted with an object