China's secret Shenlong spaceplane seen in clearest image yet, released by US intelligence
A US Defense Intelligence Agency report includes a satellite photo of China's reusable spaceplane in orbit. What it shows and what is known about the craft.
The essentials: A report published on October 26, 2026 by the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) contains the clearest public image yet of China’s secretive reusable spaceplane, often called Shenlong. The photo was taken from another satellite in 2024 and shows the winged craft in orbit with its payload bay open. China has never published images of the vehicle or explained what it carries.
What does the photo show?
The image appears on page 53 of the DIA’s 130-page report, “Challenges to Security in Space”, with the caption “PRC Spaceplane”, according to Live Science. It was taken by a WorldView-3 satellite operated by Vantor, formerly Maxar, on May 28, 2024, from just under 90 kilometres away, AeroTime reports.
The craft has delta wings, twin tail fins and a central cargo bay. AeroTime describes another object attached at the rear. Ars Technica, cited by Live Science, says it is a service module with solar arrays. A lower-resolution version of the image had appeared in a US Space Force presentation in South Korea in 2024.
What is Shenlong?
Shenlong launches on a rocket and lands on a runway, so it can bring payloads back to Earth. It has flown four missions, according to US intelligence officials quoted by FlightGlobal:
| Mission | Dates | Time in orbit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 2020 | 2 days |
| 2 | August 2022 to May 2023 | 276 days |
| 3 | December 2023 to September 2024 | 268 days |
| 4 | Since February 7, 2026 | Ongoing |
The fourth mission launched on a Long March 2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. China’s state news agency Xinhua said it would test reusable spacecraft technology for “peaceful uses”, without further detail. The photo was taken during the third mission. Live Science notes it is not known whether the same vehicle flew all four missions.
Why is the US watching it so closely?
The spaceplane has released at least nine unidentified objects, probably small satellites, Live Science reports. The most recent was deployed in June 2026. Astronomer Jonathan McDowell has suggested that the spaceplane later retrieved that object and released it again in late August. During its second mission, the DIA report says, the craft “appeared to maneuver with a companion satellite”, coming within about 100 metres of it.
SpaceNews has reported that the craft’s main goal may be to “conduct rendezvous and proximity operations”, Live Science notes. The DIA report states that “China has developed and will continue to advance weapons for use against satellites in orbit”. The image itself does not show that Shenlong has a military role.
How does it compare with the X-37B?
Its layout closely resembles the Boeing-built X-37B flown by the US Space Force, which is about 8.8 metres long and has flown missions since 2010. Shenlong’s size has not been disclosed. According to AeroTime, the X-37B’s current mission is testing laser links between satellites and a quantum sensor for navigation without GPS.
This article was prepared with the help of AI tools from the sources listed above, then reviewed by our editors before publication. Read our editorial policy
