The US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has released the first high-resolution satellite image of China’s experimental reusable spaceplane, Shenlong, confirming its orbital activities and structural design. The image, captured by Vantor’s WorldView-3 satellite in 2024, shows the spacecraft attached to an unidentified module with its payload bay open and solar panels deployed.
China has conducted four orbital missions with Shenlong since 2020, including its latest launch on February 7, 2026, according to publicly available tracking data. The spacecraft’s design closely resembles the US Space Force’s X-37B, featuring a shuttle-like configuration with wings, twin vertical tails, and a rear-mounted module. The DIA’s unclassified report, titled Challenges to Security in Space, includes the image as part of its assessment of global space capabilities.
The photograph, taken from approximately 56 miles away, has a resolution of 1.8 inches per pixel, offering unprecedented clarity of Shenlong’s features. Independent observers, including space intelligence firm LeoLabs, have previously detected the spaceplane releasing unidentified objects into orbit during its missions. The DIA’s report does not specify the purpose of these objects or Shenlong’s current activities.
Shenlong’s missions and capabilities
China has not disclosed detailed information about Shenlong’s operations, but publicly available tracking suggests the spacecraft has conducted multiple long-duration missions. Its first flight in September 2020 lasted two days, while subsequent missions extended to 276 days (2023) and 268 days (2024). The latest mission, launched in February 2026, remains ongoing as of the DIA report’s publication.
The spaceplane is launched aboard a Long March 2F rocket from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and is designed to land horizontally on a runway, making it a reusable spacecraft. Unlike traditional satellite deployments, Shenlong’s payload bay and modular attachments suggest potential applications in on-orbit servicing, satellite inspection, or payload deployment. However, the exact nature of its missions remains classified.
Comparisons to US spaceplane programs
The DIA’s report highlights the structural similarities between Shenlong and the US X-37B, operated by the US Space Force. Both vehicles are uncrewed, reusable, and capable of extended orbital missions. The X-37B has conducted multiple classified flights since 2010, with its latest mission lasting 908 days before landing in November 2022. While the X-37B’s primary missions are also undisclosed, its design emphasizes long-duration testing of advanced technologies.
International reactions and concerns
The release of the Shenlong image follows years of speculation about China’s spaceplane program. Independent analysts have noted that the spacecraft’s ability to release objects in orbit and its reusable design raise questions about its potential military applications. The DIA’s report states that China’s national military strategy identifies space as a strategic priority, with an emphasis on active defense and the development of capabilities to disrupt or destroy adversary space assets.
The US has previously expressed concerns about China’s space activities, including its anti-satellite (ASAT) testing and the development of co-orbital counterspace weapons. In 2021, the Pentagon reported that China had conducted multiple ASAT tests, including a co-orbital intercept in 2013. The DIA’s latest assessment reiterates these concerns, framing space as a domain of growing competition between major powers.
Technical specifications and observations
The newly released image provides the first publicly available high-resolution view of Shenlong, revealing key features:
- Wingspan and configuration: The spaceplane has longer wings than the X-37B, with a compact, shuttle-like design.
- Payload bay: The open cargo compartment suggests the spacecraft can deploy or retrieve objects in orbit.
- Solar panels: Deployed on either side of a rear-mounted module, indicating power generation for extended missions.
- Attached module: An unidentified spacecraft is visible at Shenlong’s rear, though its purpose remains unknown.
Space tracking data from LeoLabs and other organizations has documented Shenlong’s orbital maneuvers, including close approaches to other objects and sudden changes in trajectory. These observations have fueled speculation about the spaceplane’s potential role in satellite servicing, inspection, or even counterspace operations.
China’s response and secrecy
China has not publicly confirmed the existence of Shenlong until now, nor has it released any official images of the spacecraft. The country’s military-civil fusion strategy often blurs the lines between civilian and defense space programs, making it difficult to assess the exact nature of Shenlong’s missions. Chinese state media has occasionally referenced the spaceplane in general terms, describing it as an experimental reusable spacecraft designed for scientific and technological research.
The lack of transparency has led to international scrutiny, with some analysts suggesting that Shenlong could be part of a broader effort to develop asymmetric capabilities in space. The DIA’s report does not provide evidence of hostile actions but notes that China’s military doctrine prioritizes space as a critical domain for future conflicts.
Broader implications for space security
The release of the Shenlong image coincides with increased global attention on space militarization. The US, Russia, and China are all developing reusable spaceplanes, co-orbital satellites, and other counterspace technologies, raising concerns about an arms race in orbit. The DIA’s report warns that competition in space is intensifying, with multiple nations investing in capabilities that could be used for both civilian and military purposes.
Key areas of concern include:
- Reusable spaceplanes: Both the US and China are developing vehicles that can launch, operate, and land multiple times, reducing the cost of access to space while enabling rapid redeployment.
- On-orbit servicing: Spaceplanes like Shenlong and the X-37B could be used to repair, refuel, or deorbit satellites, raising questions about dual-use potential.
- Counterspace capabilities: The ability to approach, inspect, or interfere with adversary satellites is a growing focus of military space programs.
- Space debris and sustainability: The deployment of multiple objects in orbit, including unidentified payloads, adds to the congestion of low-Earth orbit (LEO) and increases the risk of collisions.
Future outlook
As Shenlong continues its fourth confirmed mission, the international community will likely monitor its activities closely. The DIA’s report suggests that further disclosures about China’s spaceplane program may be forthcoming, though details remain classified. Meanwhile, the US and its allies are expected to expand their own space surveillance and counterspace capabilities in response to perceived threats.
The release of the high-resolution image marks a rare public glimpse into one of the world’s most secretive space programs, offering new insights into China’s orbital activities while leaving many questions unanswered.