WORLDTECHUS intelligence releases sharp orbital image of China's X-37B-like spaceplane
The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency has released a sharp orbital image of China's experimental reusable spaceplane, which looks strikingly like America's own X-37B. The picture offers a far clearer view of a craft that had previously been seen only in grainy photographs.
Image appears in DIA report
The photograph was published in Challenges to Security in Space, the latest unclassified report from the Defense Intelligence Agency. The agency's caption labels the vehicle a "PRC Spaceplane."
The image was taken by a Maxar satellite, a system now run by Vantor, and it carries a 2024 copyright date.
Strong likeness to the X-37B
Until now, images of China's spaceplane have been blurry and difficult to interpret. The new view shows a vehicle that closely resembles the X-37B, the reusable U.S. military spaceplane, and the resemblance is difficult to overlook.
Open questions
- Has the vehicle's orbital activity been independently confirmed?