The US has released an orbital image of China’s secretive reusable spaceplane. The higher-resolution picture was captured by Maxar Technologies, now known as Vantor, offering one of the clearest publicly available glimpses of the spacecraft
The competition in space is intensifying. China’s experimental reusable spaceplane’s sharp orbital image was released by US intelligence. The US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) put out the photo in Challenges to Security in Space, its latest unclassified report.
The unseen image of China’s secretive reusable spaceplane offered a rare glimpse of Beijing’s expanding space capabilities as military rivalry in Earth’s orbit intensifies.
The DIA confirmed that a satellite image widely circulating online since 2024 revealed a striking resemblance to the American X-37B operated by the US Space Force.
The higher-resolution picture was captured by Maxar Technologies, now known as Vantor, offering one of the clearest publicly available glimpses of China’s secretive spacecraft.
What ‘never-seen-before’ image reveals?
The pictures reflect a compact and shuttle-like spacecraft with small wings. It has two vertical tails and an open central payload bay.
Solar panels are positioned on both sides of an extension at the rear. Its overall design is similar to that of the US X-37B; however, the Chinese vehicle seems to have wider wing chords.
The DIA stated: “A key capability for reusable space activities is spaceplanes like this PRC Spaceplane captured by Maxar. Spaceplanes can launch into orbit to place objects in space or even test them and return to Earth.”
More from ExplainersDIA did not reveal which of Beijing’s two spaceplane designs is photographed. The report names Shenlong and Tengyun as China’s main models.
Previously, the lower-resolution version of the photograph was displayed by US Space Force Col. John Patrick at a South Korean space forum in 2024, but the spacecraft’s identity and activities remain largely opaque.
Why China’s spaceplanes worry the US
The spaceplanes were singled out in the report as they are reusable and highly manoeuvrable, which other conventional satellites are not designed or equipped to perform.
Their manoeuvrability could also support intelligence gathering and close-range operations, including other spacecraft, though the pictures provide no evidence that Beijing’s vehicle carries weapons or has conducted any offensive missions.
The disclosure came amid growing Chinese space capabilities. As per DIA’s report, since 2018, Beijing’s constellation of satellites dedicated to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance has grown more than threefold to over 510 satellites. That could concern Washington.
The newly released photograph is a part of a broader US assessment warning that competition in space is increasingly intensifying.
What is known about China’s spaceplane programme?
Beijing has carried out four known orbital missions, including its experimental reusable spacecraft since 2020. China’s third mission ran from December 14, 2023, to September 6, 2024, and featured the release of several smaller objects into space.
Its latest mission started on February 7, 2026, and the vehicle is said to remain in orbit.
The DIA points to two primary Chinese spaceplane programmes, Shenlong and Tengyun, without identifying which model appeared in the photograph.
“China has two primary spaceplane models: the Shenlong and Tengyun,” the report stated, as quoted by Moneycontrol.
With inputs from agencies
