China's secretive Shenlong spaceplane: What the US report reveals

A new report from the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has revealed a rare image of China's secretive Shenlong spaceplane in orbit, highlighting the country's growing space capabilities and concerns over the potential militarisation of space.

Captured in 2024 by Vantor, a US-based space intelligence company, the image shows a satellite docked to the spacecraft, with its payload bay doors open. The photograph, taken by Vantor's WorldView-3 satellite, offers an unusually detailed view of the Chinese spaceplane during its third mission.

The image features in a 130-page DIA report examining space-related threats posed by China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. The report highlights China's expanding orbital capabilities, including technologies that could threaten other countries' satellites.

US intelligence agency warns of China's space weapons buildup

The DIA report highlights what it describes as China's growing counterspace capabilities, which could be used to disrupt or damage satellites operated by other countries.

Despite Beijing's public support for agreements against the weaponisation of space, the agency says China continues to develop technologies that could give it an advantage in orbit.

"China is developing space-based technology, including on-orbit counterspace weapons, capable of holding space systems at risk," the DIA stated.

The agency said these capabilities could help Beijing deter or compel other nations whose actions it considers contrary to China's national security interests.

Vantor also raised concerns about China's expanding space capabilities.

"China is building an unblinking eye over the Pacific, primarily through commercial space capabilities. The DIA's latest report makes clear how quickly that threat is growing," Will Cocos, executive vice president and general manager of Vantor's US government business, said.

The DIA report lists several technologies that could potentially be used against commercial, civilian or military satellites. These include radio-frequency jammers, lasers, high-powered microwaves, chemical sprayers, robotic mechanisms, projectiles and nuclear detonations.

The report also discusses China's ground-based laser systems, which could "disrupt, degrade, or damage satellites" in low-Earth orbit. According to the DIA, China could improve these systems and potentially deploy space-based lasers by the late 2020s.

However, Victoria Samson, chief director of space security and stability at the Secure World Foundation, questioned the certainty of that timeline.

"It seems speculative," Samson said of the DIA's projection regarding when China might deploy its most advanced laser weapons.

What is China's Shenlong spaceplane?

China's Shenlong, also known as the Chinese reusable experimental spaceplane, is a secretive spacecraft designed to launch into orbit aboard a rocket and return to Earth by landing on a runway.

The programme has been under development and testing for several years, but details about the spacecraft's design, payload and mission objectives remain limited.

Its first flight began in September 2020. During its second mission, the spacecraft reportedly remained in orbit for 276 days, demonstrating its ability to conduct extended orbital operations.

The Chinese space agency has described the programme as an effort to develop technologies that "will pave the way for more convenient and affordable round-trip methods for the peaceful use of space in the future."

However, observers have closely monitored Shenlong's activities because the spacecraft has released objects into orbit during its missions.

For instance, US space intelligence company LeoLabs detected an object released by the spaceplane during its fourth mission in June 2026.

"Following additional observations across our global network and analysis via LeoLabs Delta, we have independently cataloged this object and assessed with high confidence that it was released from the Chinese space plane," LeoLabs said.

The company added that the activity was consistent with sub-satellite deployments observed during earlier missions.

The purpose of these releases remains unclear. They could involve proximity operations, in which spacecraft manoeuvre close to one another, or the deployment of smaller satellites. Another possibility is that the spacecraft is releasing equipment it no longer needs.

The available evidence does not establish the precise purpose of these activities.

How China's Shenlong compares with the US X-37B

Shenlong has drawn comparisons with the US Space Force's Boeing-built X-37B, another reusable spaceplane that conducts long-duration missions in orbit.

Like Shenlong, the X-37B operates under considerable secrecy, with limited information publicly available about its missions and capabilities.

The US Space Force has disclosed some of its experiments, including tests involving laser communications and quantum inertial sensors intended to improve navigation without relying on GPS.

In February 2025, the Space Force released an image of the X-37B in orbit with its payload bay doors open, drawing attention to the spacecraft's capabilities and mission objectives.

The similarities between the two programmes highlight how the United States and China are pursuing reusable spacecraft that can conduct extended operations in orbit, while keeping many operational details classified.