--- title: "China's secret spaceplane gets a clear close-up, and it looks a lot like the X-37B" description: "A commercial satellite's close pass and a DIA release answer basic questions about the Shenlong, from its 26ft length to how it powers long missions." url: https://tech.skoop.news/new-image-sheds-light-on-china-s-secret-spaceplane-5584d9/ published: 2026-10-30T08:02:16.024473-04:00 modified: 2026-10-30T08:02:16.024493-04:00 section: "Tech & Apps" publisher: "skoop.news" language: en keywords: ["Shenlong", "Chongfu Shiyong Shiyan Hangtian Qi", "US Defense Intelligence Agency", "China Aerospace Science", "PRC Test Spacecraft", "US Space Force", "Boeing X-37B", "DIA", "Vantor", "CASC"] hashtags: ["#ChongfuShiyongShiyanHangtianQi", "#USDefenseIntelligenceAgency", "#ChinaAerospaceScience", "#tech", "#ai"] image: https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Shenlong_Cave75.jpg/1280px-Shenlong_Cave75.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail --- # China's secret spaceplane gets a clear close-up, and it looks a lot like the X-37B > A commercial satellite's close pass and a DIA release answer basic questions about the Shenlong, from its 26ft length to how it powers long missions. Published 2026-10-30 · Updated 2026-10-30 · Tech & Apps, [skoop.news](https://skoop.news/) ## In brief - The US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has released the clearest public view yet of China's secretive spaceplane. [[1]](https://newatlas.com/military/new-image-sheds-light-on-chinas-secret-spaceplane/) - Vantor's annotated version of the photo describes the craft as PRC Test Spacecraft 3 and notes that it is 26ft long (8m). [[2]](https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-16248373/First-glimpse-Chinese-space-plane.html) - The DIA confirmed that the Shenlong could deploy small payloads, maneuver relative to them, and carry out close approaches and inspections. [[1]](https://newatlas.com/military/new-image-sheds-light-on-chinas-secret-spaceplane/) ## The clearest view yet The US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has released the clearest public view yet of China's secretive spaceplane. [[1]](https://newatlas.com/military/new-image-sheds-light-on-chinas-secret-spaceplane/) A satellite operated by Vantor, formerly Maxar Technologies, made the shot possible by capturing a high-resolution image of the Shenlong in its deployed orbital configuration. [[1]](https://newatlas.com/military/new-image-sheds-light-on-chinas-secret-spaceplane/) If you follow space technology, this matters because the craft's basic details had been guesswork. Its dimensions and general design had long been the subject of speculation because of tight security. [[1]](https://newatlas.com/military/new-image-sheds-light-on-chinas-secret-spaceplane/) ## What the image shows Vantor's annotated version of the photo describes the craft as PRC Test Spacecraft 3 and notes that it is 26ft long (8m). [[2]](https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-16248373/First-glimpse-Chinese-space-plane.html) The image shows the payload bay doors partly open and a secondary satellite docked on the rear of the spaceplane. [[2]](https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-16248373/First-glimpse-Chinese-space-plane.html) That secondary satellite is likely a service module that connects with spacecraft to provide additional power, propulsion or support systems. [[2]](https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-16248373/First-glimpse-Chinese-space-plane.html) The Shenlong has an expendable service module with deployable solar panels that provide power to the spaceplane. [[1]](https://newatlas.com/military/new-image-sheds-light-on-chinas-secret-spaceplane/) That settles speculation that the panels were inside the payload bay doors. [[1]](https://newatlas.com/military/new-image-sheds-light-on-chinas-secret-spaceplane/) The added power means the craft is configured for long-term missions. [[1]](https://newatlas.com/military/new-image-sheds-light-on-chinas-secret-spaceplane/) ## What the craft can do The DIA confirmed that the Shenlong could deploy small payloads, maneuver relative to them, and carry out close approaches and inspections. [[1]](https://newatlas.com/military/new-image-sheds-light-on-chinas-secret-spaceplane/) Orbital tracking data fits that description. According to an analysis by Jonathan McDowell, the spaceplane released a sub-satellite in June and recaptured it in July, then repeated the release and recapture in August and September. [[3]](https://www.wired.com/story/what-to-know-about-chinas-top-secret-spaceplane/) ## Where the Shenlong came from China's reusable spaceplane was first launched in September 2020 and is believed to be called Shenlong (Divine Dragon). [[1]](https://newatlas.com/military/new-image-sheds-light-on-chinas-secret-spaceplane/) The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) built it. [[1]](https://newatlas.com/military/new-image-sheds-light-on-chinas-secret-spaceplane/) Chinese state media refer to the vehicle as Chongfu Shiyong Shiyan Hangtian Qi, or CSSHQ, which means reusable experimental spacecraft. [[3]](https://www.wired.com/story/what-to-know-about-chinas-top-secret-spaceplane/) China has launched four spaceplane missions since 2020, with durations of up to nine months. [[3]](https://www.wired.com/story/what-to-know-about-chinas-top-secret-spaceplane/) ## The X-37B comparison Outside observers noted early on that Shenlong appeared to be designed along the lines of the US Space Force's Boeing X-37B spaceplane. [[1]](https://newatlas.com/military/new-image-sheds-light-on-chinas-secret-spaceplane/) The Shenlong is nearly identical to that robotic spaceplane. [[2]](https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-16248373/First-glimpse-Chinese-space-plane.html) The Space Force has two X-37Bs flying in rotation, and the longest of their eight missions to date ran two-and-a-half years from launch until landing. [[3]](https://www.wired.com/story/what-to-know-about-chinas-top-secret-spaceplane/) ## What it means for you Commercial spacecraft can now track and monitor even stealthy military vehicles in Earth orbit, a capability that was previously reserved for the most advanced intelligence agencies. [[1]](https://newatlas.com/military/new-image-sheds-light-on-chinas-secret-spaceplane/) If you work with satellite imagery or follow orbital security, that is the change to note. Non-Earth imaging allows commercial operators and government analysts to inspect satellites. [[3]](https://www.wired.com/story/what-to-know-about-chinas-top-secret-spaceplane/) It is especially useful for gleaning information about classified or proprietary satellite designs. [[3]](https://www.wired.com/story/what-to-know-about-chinas-top-secret-spaceplane/) ## Sources 1. [New image sheds light on China's secret spaceplane](https://newatlas.com/military/new-image-sheds-light-on-chinas-secret-spaceplane/) — New Atlas 2. [US intelligence report offers first clear glimpse at top-secret Chinese spaceplane accused of releasing mysterious objects above Earth](https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-16248373/First-glimpse-Chinese-space-plane.html) — Daily Mail 3. [What to Know About China’s Top-Secret Spaceplane](https://www.wired.com/story/what-to-know-about-chinas-top-secret-spaceplane/) — Wired Image: Photo: FreeePedia / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shenlong_Cave75.jpg) --- Written from the sources above and checked twice (rules and an independent model) before publishing. How we work: https://skoop.news/how-we-work/ · Corrections: https://skoop.news/corrections/