US intelligence just released the clearest photo yet of China's mysterious Shenlong space plane.
The Defense Intelligence Agency put it on page 53 of its October 26 space security report.
A commercial Maxar satellite snapped it in orbit in 2024, during the craft's third mission.
A lower-quality version surfaced in 2024. Nobody would confirm what it showed, until now.
The underside view shows small wings, twin tails, an open payload bay, and a service module.
The panels spread from the rear, not the top. That is unusual for a spacecraft.
The design echoes the US X-37B, an uncrewed space plane that has flown eight secret missions.
China has flown the craft in 2020, 2022, 2023 to 2024, and again since February 2026.
In 2022 it flew within 100 metres of another satellite. In September it released and recaptured an object.
Space planes can place, test, and fetch objects in orbit, then land and fly again.
The photo proves no weapons. China calls the craft a test of reusable tech for peaceful use.
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