GoKawiilPentagon releases first full image of China's X-37B-like spaceplane
The US Defense Intelligence Agency has published a high-resolution photo of China's secretive winged spacecraft, taken by a commercial Vantor (formerly Maxar) imaging satellite in 2024. The image shows delta wings, payload bay doors, a dark heat shield and a rear service module with solar arrays, closely resembling the US Space Force's X-37B. China has flown four such spaceplane missions since 2020, including one currently in orbit since February.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The release suggests US intelligence agencies are willing to use commercial satellite imagery to track and publicize rival space assets, potentially as a way to signal surveillance capability. The close resemblance to the X-37B raises questions, unanswered in the report, about whether China's program draws on observed US designs or independent development, and how many such vehicles China may possess.
- A Vantor satellite imaged China's spaceplane in 2024, but the photo was only made public in a DIA report
- China has conducted four spaceplane missions since 2020, with the latest launched in February and still in orbit
- The Chinese spacecraft closely resembles the US Space Force's X-37B in shape and components, though its onboard activities remain unknown
Source: arstechnica.com, 2026-10-27
Published there as: “China's top-secret spaceplane can't hide in low-Earth orbit”
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