Security

United States Releases Image of China's Secret Spaceplane

AI SUMMARY

The United States Department of Defense has released a high-resolution satellite image of China's secret, reusable spaceplane.

The United States Department of Defense released an image of China's secret, reusable spaceplane.
The image was captured by a Vantor satellite and is the first to clearly depict the spacecraft.
Previous public images of the spaceplane were blurry and lacked detail.
The image was published in a report detailing space security challenges and military competition involving the US, China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
The spaceplane is an advanced spacecraft capable of operating both in space and within the Earth's atmosphere.
The vehicle features aerodynamic components like wings and tail control surfaces for controlled atmospheric flight.
The high-resolution image shows the underside of the craft and reveals that payload bay doors on the upper part are open.
A long section with extended solar power collection panels is visible in the background and may be attached to the main spacecraft.