US Military Intelligence Reveals Image of China's Shenlong Space Plane
The US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has unveiled a rare photograph of China's secretive Shenlong space plane, which is shown docked to another spacecraft in orbit with its cargo compartment open. This image, captured by a US satellite in May 2024 and made public in October 2026, offers a clearer view of the Chinese spacecraft and its activities in space, an area where Beijing has been notably reticent.
The photograph was taken during Shenlong's third mission and shows the vehicle's wings and open payload bay, which is utilized for transporting equipment into space. Another spacecraft is visible behind Shenlong, with solar panels extended on either side, although its identity and the purpose of its connection to Shenlong remain undisclosed.
According to reports, the image has a resolution of 4.5 centimeters per pixel, providing more detail than earlier images captured by ground observers. A less detailed version of this photograph was previously shown by the US Space Force in South Korea in 2024. The clearer image has now been included in the DIA's Challenges to Security in Space report.
China has been testing the Shenlong space plane for six years, yet much of its operations remain classified. The spacecraft is designed to launch into orbit aboard a rocket and return to Earth by landing on a runway, making it reusable, unlike traditional spacecraft that are not recoverable after missions. Its inaugural flight occurred in September 2020, lasting just two days, while subsequent missions have seen it remain in orbit for extended periods, including 276 days during its second mission and 268 days during its third.
Latest Launch and Its Implications
The fourth launch of Shenlong took place on February 7, 2026, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre aboard a Long March-2F rocket. Chinese state media described this mission as part of efforts to develop reusable spacecraft technology for peaceful purposes. However, the specific equipment carried by Shenlong and the experiments conducted during its flights have not been publicly detailed.
The design of Shenlong has drawn comparisons to the American X-37B space plane, which is also a reusable robotic spacecraft operated by the US Space Force. Both vehicles are capable of conducting long-duration missions in orbit, although many details regarding their operations remain classified. The X-37B has conducted various experiments, including testing laser communications between satellites and examining the effects of space radiation on biological materials.
Approved for Dissemination
The photograph of Shenlong is not the only aspect that has piqued interest. Observers have reported detecting objects moving near the spacecraft during several of its missions, raising questions about its activities in orbit. For instance, during Shenlong's fourth mission in June 2026, an object was detected near the vehicle, which was determined to have been released by Shenlong. Similar occurrences have been noted in previous missions, leading to speculation about the nature of these objects and the purpose of their release.
The ongoing developments surrounding the Shenlong space plane highlight the increasing complexity of space operations and the competitive nature of space exploration between nations. As more information becomes available, the implications of these activities for international security and space policy will continue to unfold.
