The US Defense Intelligence Agency has published a high-resolution satellite image of China’s experimental reusable spaceplane, commonly referred to by observers as Shenlong (“Divine Dragon”).
The photo appears in the DIA’s recent unclassified report, Challenges to Security in Space.
The image, captured in 2024 by a Vantor (formerly Maxar) WorldView-3 satellite from roughly 90 km away at 4.5 cm-per-pixel resolution, shows the vehicle in low Earth orbit docked with another spacecraft.
Its payload bay doors are open and rear-mounted solar arrays are deployed. The craft has a delta-wing design similar to the U.S X-37B.
China has flown the vehicle on four missions since 2020, each launched on a Long March 2F rocket from Jiuquan. The fourth mission began on February 7, 2026, and remains in orbit.
Tracking data indicate the spaceplane has released and later interacted with or recaptured small unidentified objects. Chinese authorities have described the flights only as technology tests supporting reusable spacecraft and the peaceful use of space.