DIA Report Reveals First Clear Image of China's Shenlong Spaceplane and Warns of Orbital Laser Threats

Key points

• The DIA released a 2024 satellite image of China's Shenlong spaceplane, showing it docked with another spacecraft and its payload bay doors open.
• China has conducted four orbital missions with the Shenlong since 2020, with the current mission launched in February 2026.
• The report warns that China may field space-based directed-energy weapons by the late 2020s to disrupt or damage satellites.
• China is also developing the Tengyun air-launched spaceplane and the Haolong cargo spaceplane for its Tiangong station.
• The US X-37B has operated at higher altitudes than the Chinese Shenlong, which has remained in low-Earth orbit.

Background

China's spaceplane program has been closely monitored as part of the broader US-China space competition. Previous reports highlighted the X-37B's capabilities and China's efforts to develop similar technologies for counterspace operations.

How outlets are covering it

19FortyFive emphasizes the strategic implications of China's spaceplane program, suggesting it could be used for counterspace warfare. Space.com focuses on the technical details of the Shenlong and its resemblance to the X-37B. Ars Technica highlights the DIA's warning about directed-energy weapons and the potential for space-based lasers. Axios notes the broader context of China's space advancements and the threat to commercial and military satellites.

Why it matters

The release of the Shenlong image and the DIA's warnings about directed-energy weapons highlight the growing threat of space-based weapons and the need for the US to maintain its advantage in orbital capabilities.

What to watch

The US and China are likely to continue developing and testing space-based weapons and counterspace technologies, with the potential for increased tensions in the coming years.