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U.S. intelligence identifies China's reusable spaceplane in satellite image

The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency confirmed that a satellite image in a newly declassified report shows China's experimental reusable spaceplane in orbit.

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Cropped view of a winged spacecraft with solar panels extending to both sides against a dark background.
China's experimental reusable spaceplane, as identified by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency. The image does not establish whether the spacecraft carries weapons.

The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency has confirmed that a satellite image included in a newly declassified report shows China's experimental reusable spaceplane in orbit. The identification offers a clearer view of a spacecraft whose design closely resembles the U.S. Space Force's X-37B.

Visible features include wings, twin vertical tails, an open payload bay and a rear module with solar panels extending on both sides. The vehicle resembles the X-37B, an uncrewed reusable spaceplane operated by the U.S. Space Force, although the Chinese craft appears to have longer wings.

The Defense Intelligence Agency's image caption describes spaceplanes as a capability for reusable space activities: they can launch into orbit, place objects in space or test them, and then return to Earth.

The image does not establish whether the Chinese spacecraft carries weapons or conducts offensive missions. Its ability to manoeuvre, deploy objects and potentially interact with other spacecraft has nevertheless raised questions about the military applications of reusable spaceplanes.