India, Oct. 30 -- A newly declassified image released by a US military intelligence agency offers the clearest view yet of China's top-secret spaceplane operating high above Earth. Captured in orbit by a commercial satellite, the high-resolution photograph revealing critical design details is believed to show China's Shenlong or "divine dragon" spaceplane.

The report released by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) on October 26 discussed the "Challenges to Security in Space". One of its sections featured a clear picture which was captured by a satellite belonging to the private space company Maxar Technologies, now known as Vantor. The photo was taken in 2024.

The caption with the photo read, "A key capability for reusable space activ...