US intelligence confirms image shows China's secret spaceplane in orbit

The US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has confirmed that a satellite image released in a newly declassified report shows China's experimental reusable spaceplane in orbit, offering a clearer view of a spacecraft whose design closely resembles the US Space Force's X-37B.The higher-resolution image, captured by a satellite operated by Maxar Technologies, now known as Vantor, was included in the DIA's latest unclassified assessment of security challenges in space, released on October 26. Although a lower-resolution version had circulated publicly since 2024, the spacecraft's identity had not been confirmed at the time.The image shows a compact, shuttle-like vehicle with wings, twin vertical tails, an open payload bay and a rear-mounted module with solar panels deployed on either side.