China's secretive space plane caught on camera in incredible new photo released by US military

Key Points:

• A U.S. military intelligence agency released a high-resolution photograph of China's secretive Shenlong space plane docked to another satellite, captured by Vantor's WorldView 3 satellite in 2024 from 90 kilometers away.
• The image reveals Shenlong's open payload bay doors, providing new clues about its activities during its fourth mission launched in February 2026, though the identity of the docked satellite remains unknown.
• Shenlong has previously released objects in orbit during its missions, consistent with sub-satellite deployments or proximity and rendezvous operations, but details about its exact purpose remain classified.
• The U.S. operates a similar secretive robotic space plane, the Boeing-built X-37B, which also rarely has its missions or capabilities publicly disclosed, with limited official imagery released in recent years.
• Both China's Shenlong and the U.S. X-37B highlight ongoing military interest in reusable robotic spaceplanes capable of complex orbital maneuvers and satellite interactions.