China's Spaceplane Photographed in Orbit

China's top-secret spaceplane was photographed in low-Earth orbit by a US-owned commercial satellite in 2024. The image, captured by a satellite owned by Vantor, reveals a spacecraft with delta wings, a payload bay, and a rear-mounted service module with solar arrays, similar to the US military's X-37B spaceplane.

The Chinese spaceplane, which has been the subject of speculation since its launch, was spotted in low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft's design, including its delta wings, payload bay, and rear-mounted service module, bears a strong resemblance to the US military's X-37B spaceplane. The spacecraft also features a dark heat shield, further adding to its similarity to the X-37B.

The image was taken by a commercial imaging satellite owned by Vantor, a company known as Maxar in 2024. Vantor provides reconnaissance imagery to the US military and intelligence agencies, and its satellites are capable of capturing images of objects in space.

This is not the first time that a Chinese spacecraft has been photographed in orbit. In 2022, a Chinese spaceplane was spotted in orbit by a US satellite. However, the 2024 image provides a clearer view of the spacecraft's design and features. The image also confirms that China is continuing to develop and launch spaceplanes, despite the secrecy surrounding these missions.

The Chinese spaceplane's mission and capabilities remain unknown. The spacecraft's design suggests that it could be used for a variety of purposes, including reconnaissance, communications, and technology demonstrations. However, without more information, it is difficult to determine the exact purpose of the mission.

This is the first time that a Chinese spaceplane has been photographed in orbit by a commercial satellite. The image provides valuable insights into the design and capabilities of China's spaceplane program, and highlights the growing role of commercial satellites in space surveillance.