Commercial satellite imagery captured by Vantor reveals the vehicle operating in orbit with deployed solar panels and twin vertical tails. Analysts note design similarities to the American X-37B, though the Chinese craft exhibits longer wings and remains unidentified between the Shenlong and Tengyun programs. The declassified publication details four orbital missions conducted by China since 2020, with the most recent flight taking place in February 2026. While the craft has engaged in complex release and recapture operations with smaller objects, the agency found no evidence indicating the presence of onboard weapons.
Key points
The Defense Intelligence Agency confirmed the authenticity of the photograph depicting th…: The Defense Intelligence Agency confirmed the authenticity of the photograph depicting the secretive Chinese uncrewed spacecraft.
China operates two distinct spaceplane development programs known as the Shenlong and the…: China operates two distinct spaceplane development programs known as the Shenlong and the Tengyun.
The declassified intelligence report explicitly notes there is no visible evidence that t…: The declassified intelligence report explicitly notes there is no visible evidence that the spacecraft carries any weaponry.
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The US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has confirmed that a satellite image released in a newly declassified report shows China's experimental reusable spaceplane in orbit, offering a clearer view of a spacecraft whose design closely resembles the US Space Force's X-37B.
The higher-resolution image, captured by a satellite operated by Maxar Technologies, now known as Vantor, was included in the DIA's latest unclassified assessment of security challenges in space, released on October 26. Although a lower-resolution version had circulated publicly since 2024, the spacecraft's identity had not been confirmed at the time.
The image shows a compact, shuttle-like vehicle with wings, twin vertical tails, an open payload bay and a rear-mounted module with solar panels deployed on either side. Its overall configuration resembles the X-37B, an uncrewed reusable spaceplane operated by the US Space Force, although the Chinese vehicle appears to have longer wings.
“A key capability for reusable space activities are spaceplanes like this PRC [People’s Republic of China] Spaceplane captured by Maxar. Spaceplanes can launch into orbit to place objects in space or even test them and return…
American defense officials published high-resolution commercial satellite imagery documenting Beijing's experimental Shenlong orbital craft alongside an unidentified companion spacecraft. The detailed observation confirms key physical features of the reusable platform while highlighting China's advancing capabilities to rendezvous and interact with payloads in low Earth orbit. However, the precise strategic intentions behind these orbital maneuvers remain shrouded in secrecy.
University of Iowa researchers analyzing Juno spacecraft data have uncovered the intricate mechanisms protecting the solar system's largest planet from harsh solar wind. By observing how multi-frequency plasma waves and precursor shock formations decelerate incoming charged particles, scientists gain valuable insights that extend beyond planetary science. These physics offer a crucial window into understanding the immense shock waves produced by exploding stars across the universe.
The private space venture has achieved complete operational independence from the federal government, marking a historic shift in the traditional aerospace hierarchy. This severed dependence now poses profound strategic challenges for the nation's space agency as it navigates a changing landscape. Consequently, American leadership faces major questions regarding the future direction and control of national space endeavors.