GoKawiilCommercial satellite photo reveals China's Shenlong spaceplane in orbit
A 2024 image captured by a Vantor (formerly Maxar) satellite shows China's secretive Shenlong spaceplane with a docked satellite featuring two large solar arrays. The photo was publicly released as part of a newly declassified Defense Intelligence Agency report on space-based threats, marking a rare direct look at the craft after six years of hidden missions.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The image offers outside observers their first visual confirmation of Shenlong's design, which closely resembles the US Space Force's X-37B, suggesting parallel development paths in reusable military spaceplanes. China has not disclosed the purpose of the vehicle's four orbital missions, and experts cited in the report speculate it may be releasing and retrieving objects using robotic arms, though this remains unconfirmed analysis rather than established fact.
- A Vantor satellite captured a 2024 photo of China's Shenlong spaceplane, released via a declassified DIA report.
- The craft shows two slim wings and a docked satellite with large solar arrays, resembling the US X-37B.
- China has kept the purpose of Shenlong's four missions secret, with experts speculating about robotic object capture capabilities.
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Published there as: “A US Satellite Caught China’s Top-Secret Spaceplane on Camera”
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