All articles tagged with #dia report
The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) released the first high-resolution image of China's secretive Shenlong spaceplane, captured in 2024 by Vantor. The photo, included in the 'Challenges to Security in Space' report, shows the craft docked with another satellite. The report also warns that China may deploy space-based directed-energy weapons by the late 2020s.
The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) released its 2026 'Challenges to Security in Space' report on October 26, warning that China could deploy space-based directed energy weapons (DEWs) by the end of the decade. The assessment highlights Beijing’s rapid expansion of its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) satellite fleet, which has tripled since 2018 to over 510 systems. While the report details potential reversible and non-reversible attacks on satellites, it notes that attribution of such strikes remains difficult. The findings coincide with recent U.S. admissions of its own orbital weapons capabilities and growing concerns over space congestion and adversarial cooperation.
The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) released its 2026 'Challenges to Security in Space' report, featuring the first high-resolution image of China’s Shenlong spaceplane, captured in 2024 by Vantor (formerly Maxar). The report warns that China may deploy space-based directed-energy weapons by the late 2020s. While the Chinese vehicle closely resembles the US X-37B, it has only operated in low-Earth orbit, whereas the US vehicle has reached higher altitudes. The assessment highlights growing threats from China, Russia, and emerging powers like Iran and North Korea.
The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) released a new report confirming that a 2024 satellite image depicts a Chinese reusable spaceplane, closely resembling the U.S. X-37B. The report highlights China’s growing space capabilities, including four orbital missions since 2020, and warns that Beijing may deploy space-based directed-energy weapons by the late 2020s.