The Defense Intelligence Agency released orbital imagery captured roughly 56 miles away by Maxar Technologies' WorldView-3 satellite, showing Shenlong linked with another craft. The detailed picture exposes the vehicle's delta wings, underside, rear-mounted solar arrays, and open bay doors. Despite this visual evidence, the paired spacecraft remains unidentified, and the contents of the payload bay are still undisclosed. China continues to withhold official operational details regarding the reusable prototype's recent multi-month missions.
Key points
The Defense Intelligence Agency's imagery confirms that the Chinese space plane actively…: The Defense Intelligence Agency's imagery confirms that the Chinese space plane actively conducted rendezvous and docking operations with a companion satellite.
China has maintained strict operational secrecy by refusing to disclose Shenlong's capabi…: China has maintained strict operational secrecy by refusing to disclose Shenlong's capabilities, its payloads, or the purpose of its orbital maneuvers.
Previous flight records demonstrate that China has progressively extended the endurance o…: Previous flight records demonstrate that China has progressively extended the endurance of its reusable craft since its initial two-day mission in 2020.
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China’s secretive Shenlong space plane has appeared in a striking new photograph released by a US military intelligence agency. The image shows the reusable spacecraft attached to another satellite in orbit, offering a rare look at its design. Captured in 2024 by a commercial imaging satellite, the photograph reveals details that have remained largely hidden from public view. It also raises fresh questions about what China’s space plane may be doing during its missions. Inputs are taken from a report by Space.com.
Earlier images of Shenlong had been taken by observers on the ground. This new photograph, however, offers a much clearer view of the spacecraft from space.
The image shows its delta-shaped wings, underside, rear-mounted solar arrays and open payload bay doors. Shenlong also appears to be docked with another spacecraft, whose solar panels are deployed. The identity of that satellite remains unknown.
Although the photograph reveals more about the vehicle’s physical design, it does not establish what the two spacecraft were doing together.
According to Popular Science, that initial flight lasted two days. A second mission in 2022…
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