DIA Releases Clearest Image of China’s Reusable Spaceplane with Service Module Attached
The United States Defense Intelligence Agency published an unclassified report featuring the clearest public photograph yet of China's secretive reusable spaceplane, known as Shenlong. Captured in orbit by Maxar in 2024, the high-resolution image reveals the vehicle with its payload bay open and a service module or satellite docked at the rear. United States intelligence highlights that the spacecraft has flown multiple missions since 2020, conducting complex rendezvous and proximity operations in low-Earth orbit. Officials warn that Beijing continues expanding its military space capabilities, including growing satellite fleets and potential directed-energy weapons.
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- ✓ The Defense Intelligence Agency released an unclassified report titled Challenges to Security in Space featuring a high-resolution image of China's reusable spaceplane.
- ✓ The photograph was taken in orbit by Maxar in 2024 and shows the spaceplane with its payload bay open and a satellite docked at the rear.
- ✓ China launched its reusable spacecraft again in February 2026, following three previous missions flown between 2020 and 2023.
- ✓ United States intelligence noted that China has tripled its satellite fleet since 2018.
What changed
The Defense Intelligence Agency released an unclassified report containing high-resolution Maxar imagery of China's reusable spaceplane.
Live updates
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DIA Releases Clearest Image of China Reusable Spaceplane
The United States Defense Intelligence Agency published an unclassified report featuring the clearest public photograph yet of China's secretive reusable spaceplane, known as Shenlong. Captured in orbit by Maxar in 2024, the high-resolution image reveals the vehicle with its payload bay open and a service module or satellite docked at the rear. United States intelligence highlights that the spacecraft has flown multiple missions since 2020, conducting complex rendezvous and proximity operations in low-Earth orbit. Officials warn that Beijing continues expanding its military space capabilities, including growing satellite fleets and potential directed-energy weapons.
Why it matters
The public release of this detailed orbital imagery marks a significant shift in how American defense officials handle intelligence regarding Chinese military space programs. The Shenlong spaceplane has long remained opaque, but analysts track its repeated flights to evaluate orbital servicing and counter-space capabilities. The Defense Intelligence Agency report titled Challenges to Security in Space details broader concerns about China tripling its satellite fleet since 2018.
What is confirmed
- The Defense Intelligence Agency released an unclassified report titled Challenges to Security in Space featuring a high-resolution image of China's reusable spaceplane.
- The photograph was taken in orbit by Maxar in 2024 and shows the spaceplane with its payload bay open and a satellite docked at the rear.
- China launched its reusable spacecraft again in February 2026, following three previous missions flown between 2020 and 2023.
- United States intelligence noted that China has tripled its satellite fleet since 2018.
Still unconfirmed
- China could field directed-energy weapons in orbit by the late 2020s.
What to watch next
- Additional declassified imagery or technical assessments from the Defense Intelligence Agency regarding Chinese orbital maneuvers
- Official responses from Beijing concerning the capabilities and mission objectives of the Shenlong spaceplane
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (21)
- www.yahoo.com — Yahoo
- Ars Technica — China's top-secret spaceplane can't hide in low-Earth orbit
- DIA.mil — DIA Releases Challenges to Security in Space
- SpaceNews — China could field directed-energy weapons in orbit by late 2020s, U.S. intelligence says
- Popular Science — China’s super-secret space plane visible in clearest photo yet
- Breaking Defense — DIA: China has tripled its satellite fleet since 2018 as expansion continues
- The Aviationist — DIA Releases Clearest Image of China’s Reusable Spaceplane with Service Module Attached
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