U.S. Declassifies Image of Chinese Space Plane in Pentagon Report

The United States has declassified a full-resolution image of China’s Shenlong space plane in orbit, publishing the photograph in a new Pentagon report on space threats, according to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). The image, captured in 2024 by the American commercial imaging firm Vantor, formerly known as Maxar, was included in the DIA’s unclassified report titled “Challenges to Security in Space,” the agency confirmed [2].

The photograph shows an uncrewed, winged craft with its payload bay doors open and solar panels deployed, a configuration that defense analysts say suggests the vehicle can store and deploy small satellites or other spacecraft [3].

The release marks the first time the U.S. government has publicly distributed a clear, high-resolution view of the Shenlong, which has been in operation for just over six years [3].

Defense officials said the image was declassified as part of the agency’s broader effort to document foreign military space programs for policymakers and the public. The report adds details to public accounts of Chinese and Russian space activities, officials said [3].

Shenlong Has Flown Four Known Orbital Missions Since 2020

The Shenlong vehicle has flown on four known orbital missions since 2020, with the most recent launching in February 2026, according to the DIA report [3]. Flights typically last around nine months, and the spacecraft is launched atop a Chinese rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu province.

In November 2022, the space plane appeared to maneuver with a companion satellite and conduct station-keeping at a separation of around one kilometer [3]. At one point, the two objects appeared within 100 meters of one another, and the report says the space plane and satellite may have rendezvoused before the satellite was re-released [3].

Amateur satellite trackers have previously documented the Shenlong releasing multiple objects into orbit. The objects were cataloged as Objects A, B, C, D, E, and F [1].

The DIA report did not identify the purpose of the objects released during that mission [3]. China’s government has not publicly detailed the Shenlong’s missions or payloads.

DIA Report Cites Chinese Development of Space Weapons

The report includes details about China’s development of space weapons, including a directed-energy weapon that uses a laser or concentrated particle beam traveling at the speed of light to disable a target [3]. The DIA report states that “China has developed and probably will continue to develop weapons for use against satellites in orbit to disrupt, damage and destroy adversary space capabilities [3].”

The DIA report did not present evidence that the Shenlong spacecraft itself is carrying space weapons. According to AeroTime, the image shows the payload bay open with a satellite docked at the rear [2].

The report’s release comes as the Pentagon has sought to draw attention to advances in Chinese and Russian military space programs [3]. China’s government has consistently said its space activities are for peaceful purposes [3].

Report Also Names Russia as Potential Adversary

Other potential adversaries named in the DIA report include Russia, which is reportedly developing a satellite designed to carry a nuclear weapon [3]. The report states that “a space-based capability such as this could cause rapid and sudden loss or degradation of thousands of satellites operated by countries and companies around the world, as well as to the vital communications, navigation, scientific, meteorological, commercial, and national security services they provide [3].”

The authors also note that a nuclear weapon in space could cause “interruption to power grids globally if it detonates at a sufficiently low enough altitude [3].” Such an explosion could generate an electromagnetic pulse capable of damaging electrical infrastructure on the ground.

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, signed by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union, prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons into orbit around Earth [3]. Russia has denied plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space, while U.S. officials have said they are monitoring the program [3].

The report did not provide a timeline for when Russia might deploy such a satellite. The DIA declined to comment on specific intelligence assessments beyond what was published in the unclassified report.

No International Agreement on Military Space Activities

There is currently no internationally agreed system for managing military activities in space. Several countries, including China and Russia, are pushing for rules to prevent a global arms race in space [3].

The DIA report claims that proposed treaties from China and Russia refuse to acknowledge ongoing efforts to develop and deploy space weapons [3].

The report’s release follows the unclassified image of Shenlong and adds details to public accounts of military space programs, officials said. The document is part of a series of DIA assessments on space security that have been published in recent years.

References

1. China’s spaceplane releases 6 MYSTERY OBJECTS into orbit – NaturalNews.com, December 26, 2023.
2. US releases rare image of China’s secretive spaceplane – AeroTime. https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/china-spaceplane-orbit-photo-us-intelligence
3. China’s top secret space plane revealed in rare unclassified image. https://www.independent.co.uk/space/space-plane-china-shenlong-weapons-orbit-b3074808.html

Explainer Infographic