# What to Know About China’s Top-Secret Spaceplane

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/what-to-know-about-chinas-top-secret-spaceplane/
- Published: 2026-10-29T20:45:36+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-29T21:23:57+00:00
- Original publisher: Wired
- Original article: https://www.wired.com/story/what-to-know-about-chinas-top-secret-spaceplane/
- Topics: Asia, Space, Technology, World

## Key points

- A new image shows China’s spaceplane resembles the US X-37B.
- China’s latest mission launched in February and is still in orbit.
- Tracking data suggests it has repeatedly recaptured a small satellite.

## Summary

A newly released high-resolution satellite image shows China’s secretive spaceplane has a design broadly similar to the US Space Force’s X-37B. The image, taken by commercial imaging firm Vantor, was included in an unclassified US Defense Intelligence Agency assessment, offering a clearer look at a vehicle whose activities remain largely unknown.

China has launched four spaceplane missions since 2020, each lasting up to nine months; its latest mission began in February and remains in orbit. Open-source tracking suggests the craft released and recaptured a small satellite twice in recent months, possibly using a robotic arm. China’s spaceplane has flown in low Earth orbit, while one X-37B mission reached more than 24,000 miles; the Chinese vehicle’s official name and inventory size are unclear.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.