China's secret 'mini space shuttle' caught on camera: What US intelligence has revealed

The US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has confirmed that a satellite image circulating online since 2024 shows China's experimental reusable spaceplane, revealing its striking resemblance to the American X-37B operated by the US Space Force.

The confirmation appeared in the DIA's Challenges to Security in Space 2026 report, released on October 26. The document includes a higher-resolution photograph captured by Maxar Technologies, now known as Vantor, providing one of the clearest publicly available views of China's secretive spacecraft.

What does the image reveal?

The photograph shows a compact, shuttle-like spacecraft with small wings, twin vertical tails and an open central payload bay. Solar panels are deployed on either side of an extension at its rear. Its configuration closely resembles the US X-37B, although the Chinese vehicle appears to have longer wing chords.

"A key capability for reusable space activities are spaceplanes like this PRC Spaceplane captured by Maxar. Spaceplanes can launch into orbit to place objects in space or even test them and return to earth," the DIA stated.

An earlier, lower-resolution version of the photograph was displayed by US Space Force Col. John Patrick at a South Korean space forum in 2024, but the spacecraft's identity remained uncertain.

What is known about China's spaceplane programme?

China has conducted four known orbital missions involving its experimental reusable spacecraft since 2020. Its third mission, which ran from December 14, 2023, to September 6, 2024, involved the release of multiple smaller objects into orbit.

The latest mission began on February 7, 2026, and the vehicle reportedly remains in orbit. The DIA identifies two primary Chinese spaceplane projects, Shenlong and Tengyun, but does not specify which model appears in the photograph.

"China has two primary spaceplane models: the Shenlong and Tengyun," the report states.

Why does the development matter?

Reusable spaceplanes can deploy and retrieve payloads, conduct orbital experiments and return to Earth, offering capabilities beyond those of conventional satellites. Their manoeuvrability could also support intelligence gathering and close-range operations involving other spacecraft, although the photograph provides no evidence that China's vehicle carries weapons or has conducted offensive missions.

The disclosure comes amid expanding Chinese space capabilities. According to the DIA, China's space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance constellation has more than tripled since 2018, reaching over 510 satellites. While the latest image confirms the spacecraft's identity and offers new details about its design, its full capabilities, payloads and intended missions remain undisclosed.