시험기 DIA, 중국의 비밀 우주비행체 정체를 확인

[위종민]

DIA가 2024년 MAXAR 위성이 촬영한 사진이 실제로 중국의 실험용 재사용 우주비행체가 맞다고 확인했네요. 

# 미국 정보당국, 사진 속 항공기가 중국의 비밀 우주비행체임을 확인 (업데이트)

중국의 우주비행체 설계는 예상대로 미 우주군이 운용하는 역사적인 X-37B와 매우 유사하다.

조지프 트레비식

2026년 10월 27일 오후 5시 33분(미국 동부시간)

미국 국방정보국(DIA)은 수년 동안 인터넷에서 유포돼온 사진이 실제로 궤도상에 있는 중국의 실험용 재사용 우주비행체를 보여준다는 사실을 확인했다.

(사진: Vantor)

미국 국방정보국(DIA)은 수년 동안 인터넷에서 유포돼온 사진이 실제로 궤도상에 있는 중국의 실험용 재사용 우주비행체를 보여준다는 사실을 확인했다. 새롭게 공개된 고해상도 사진은 이 비행체의 설계가 현재 미 우주군이 운용하는 소형 우주왕복선 X-37B와 거의 똑같다는 점을 더욱 분명하게 보여준다.

DIA는 어제 공개한 지구 대기권 밖의 세계 안보 위협에 관한 새로운 비기밀 보고서에 중국 우주비행체의 고해상도 사진을 수록했다. 이 사진은 맥사 테크놀로지스(현재 Vantor) 소속 위성이 촬영했지만, 정확한 촬영 시점은 불분명하다. 다만 사진에는 2024년 저작권 표시가 있다.

사진에는 작은 날개와 두 개의 수직꼬리날개를 갖춘 소형 우주왕복선 형태의 설계가 나타난다. 또한 중앙의 탑재물 적재실 위에는 위쪽으로 열리는 문이 있다. 기체 후방 끝에는 연장된 구조물이 있으며, 양옆으로 태양전지판이 펼쳐져 있는 모습도 보인다. 기체 하부에는 좌우로 나란히 배치된 것으로 보이는 수납공간들이 있는데, 이는 삼륜식 착륙장치 구성에서 주착륙장치를 수납하는 공간일 가능성이 높다. 전반적으로 기본 설계는 미국의 X-37B와 극도로 유사하다. X-37B 역시 삼륜식 착륙장치를 갖추고 있으며, 기체 후방에 확장형 탑재물 모듈을 장착할 수 있다. 주요 차이점 하나는 중국 비행체의 날개 시위 길이가 X-37B에 비해 훨씬 길다는 것이다.

궤도상에서 촬영된 중국의 실험용 재사용 우주비행체(왼쪽)와 확장형 탑재물 모듈을 장착하고 발사를 준비 중인 미국 X-37B(오른쪽)를 나란히 비교한 사진. (Vantor/미 우주군)

우주임무를 마치고 귀환한 뒤 삼륜식 착륙장치 위에 놓여 있는 X-37B의 또 다른 모습. 사진은 2022년 11월 12일 지구로 귀환한 뒤 케네디 우주센터의 계류장에 있는 OTV-6 임무의 X-37B다. (미 공군)

DIA 보고서에서 해당 사진에 붙인 설명은 다음과 같다.

“재사용 가능한 우주활동의 핵심 능력 가운데 하나는 맥사가 촬영한 이 중화인민공화국(PRC)의 우주비행체와 같은 우주비행체들이다. 우주비행체는 궤도에 진입해 우주 공간에 물체를 배치하거나, 물체를 시험한 뒤 지구로 귀환할 수도 있다.”

앞서 언급했듯이 이 사진의 존재 자체는 새로운 사실이 아니다. 당시 주한 미 우주군(SPACEFOR-KOR) 사령관이었던 존 패트릭 미 우주군 대령은 2024년 한국에서 열린 오픈 스페이스 포럼 발표자료에 훨씬 저해상도의 사진을 포함시켰다. 당시에는 사진 속 항공기가 단순히 X-37B를 보여주는 것인지도 즉시 확인할 수 없었다. TWZ는 당시 미 우주군과 맥사에 추가 정보를 요청했지만, 양측 모두 논평을 거부했다. X-37B는 총 2대가 제작됐으며, 2010년 이후 총 8차례 궤도임무에 투입됐다. 제8차 궤도시험비행(OTV-8) 임무는 2025년 8월 22일 발사됐다.

중국은 2020년 이후 동일한 실험용 우주비행체를 이용해 네 차례의 별도 궤도임무를 수행한 것으로 알려져 있다. 이 가운데 세 차례의 임무는 패트릭 대령이 발표할 당시 이미 종료된 상태였다. 가장 최근 발사는 올해 2월 7일에 이뤄졌으며, 적어도 우리가 아는 한 해당 비행체는 아직 귀환하지 않았다.

2023년 12월 14일부터 2024년 9월 6일까지 진행된 세 번째 임무에서는 중국 우주비행체가 여러 개의 소형 물체를 궤도에 방출하는 모습이 관찰됐다. 이러한 탑재물이 무엇이었는지는 여전히 알려지지 않았지만, 궤도상 사진에서 열린 모습이 확인되는 주 탑재물 적재실에서 방출됐을 가능성이 있다. 앞선 두 차례의 임무에서도 적재실이 열렸지만 이후 물체가 방출되지 않았을 가능성도 있다.

덧붙이자면, 우주비행체는 가장 최근 임무를 수행하던 올해 초에도 적어도 하나의 물체를 추가로 방출한 것으로 보인다.

중국 북서부 끝에 있는 한 비밀 공군기지는 길이가 1만 6,400피트에 달하는 세계에서 가장 긴 활주로 중 하나를 갖추고 있으며, 우주비행체가 임무를 마친 뒤 착륙한 장소로 보인다. 최근 몇 년 동안 대규모로 확장된 이 시설은 현재 미국의 극비 시험장인 에어리어 51과 대략 유사한 성격을 띠고 있으며, 다른 첨단 항공기 시험사업도 진행된 장소다.

DIA 보고서는 또한 “중국에는 선룽(Shenlong)과 텅윈(Tengyun)이라는 두 가지 주요 우주비행체 모델이 있다”고 설명하지만, 사진에 나타난 비행체가 어느 모델인지는 명시하지 않았다. 선룽이라는 이름은 지금까지 중국이 시험해온 우주비행체를 가리키는 데 일반적으로 사용돼왔다. 2007년에는 시험을 위해 H-6 폭격기 아래에 매달린 이 설계의 시제품 또는 시험체를 보여주는 것으로 알려진 사진들이 등장했다.

2007년 공개된 사진들로, H-6 폭격기 아래에 매달린 선룽이라는 이름의 재사용 우주비행체 시제품 또는 관련 시험체를 보여준다. (중국 인터넷)

중국 국영 중국항천과공집단(CASIC)은 2016년 텅윈 설계를 공개했다. 이 설계는 전통적인 우주발사 로켓 대신 대기권 내에서 비행하는 모항공기를 발사 방식의 일부로 활용하는 이른바 2단계 궤도진입체계의 일부였다. 2020년 당시 CASIC는 2025년 텅윈의 실제 시험을 목표로 하고 있었지만, 시험이 이뤄졌는지는 즉시 확인되지 않았다.

중국의 2단계 궤도진입 개념에 대한 풍동시험을 보여주는 사진들. (중국 인터넷)

최근 몇 년 동안 중국에서는 다른 우주비행체 개발도 진행돼왔다. 여기에는 중국항천과기집단(CASC)과 중국항공공업집단(AVIC)의 자회사 청두가 개발한 설계도 포함된다. 청두가 개발한 설계는 하오룽(Haolong)이라고 불리며, 중국의 톈궁 우주정거장에 보급품을 공급하기 위한 선택지로 공식 개발되고 있다.

DIA 보고서는 일반적으로 “우주비행체는 재사용이 가능하고 기동성이 향상돼 있어 특정 임무에서는 전통적인 위성보다 더 적합하다”고 지적했다.

TWZ는 과거에도 재사용 가능한 우주왕복선 형태의 비행체가 소형 위성과 기타 탑재물을 신속하게 궤도에 배치하는 데 이상적인 플랫폼이라는 점을 강조해왔다. 이러한 방식으로 이 비행체들은 우주 기반 실험뿐 아니라 실제 작전활동에서도 핵심적인 자산이 될 수 있다. 여기에는 정보수집과 심지어 궤도상 공격까지 포함될 수 있으며, 이러한 분야는 중국 정부가 명백하게 관심을 두고 있는 영역이다.

우리가 X-37B를 다룰 때 자주 언급하듯이, 우주비행체는 우주 공간에서 다른 물체와 랑데부하거나 매우 가까운 거리에서 기동하는 데도 뚜렷한 장점이 있다. 이들은 전통적인 위성이 수행할 수 없는 방식으로 항로를 변경하고 다른 기동을 수행할 수 있다. 이 모든 점은 정보수집뿐 아니라 무기체계로서의 잠재력도 강조한다. 맥사(현재 Vantor)의 위성이 중국 우주비행체를 궤도상에서 촬영했다는 사실은, 이 회사가 제공하는 것으로 알려진 서비스이기도 하지만, 우주 공간에서 갈수록 빈번하게 나타나는 추적과 회피의 경쟁 양상을 더욱 부각한다. 이러한 활동이 제기하는 전반적인 위험은 최근 러시아 소속 위성이 우크라이나와 연계된 상업용 레이더 영상 위성을 전례 없이 가까운 거리에서 추적하면서 대중의 관심을 끈 바 있다.

중국은 최근 몇 년 동안 새로운 우주 기반 정보수집 능력과 기타 역량에 전반적으로 막대한 투자를 해왔다. 중국의 우주 개발은 이제 재사용 가능한 우주발사 로켓 부스터 분야로도 확대됐다. 우주발사업체 랜드스페이스는 지난 8월 중국에서 처음으로 재사용 가능한 우주발사 로켓 부스터를 지상에서 성공적으로 회수했다. 이는 한 달 전 CASC가 특수하게 개조한 선박을 이용해 재사용 가능한 우주발사 로켓 부스터를 해상에서 성공적으로 회수한 데 이은 것이었다.

주췌-3 최초 착륙

DIA 보고서는 일반적으로 다음과 같이 설명한다.

“전통적으로 우주에 접근하려면 일회용 우주비행체가 필요하다. 여기에는 성능을 극대화하도록 설계된 일회용 발사체, 위성, 단회 사용 캡슐이 포함된다. 일회용 비행체에 대한 의존은 우주 접근을 비싸고 제한적인 것으로 만들었다. 재사용 기술은 개발과 제작이 훨씬 더 어렵고 비용도 많이 들지만, 로켓 단과 페어링, 캡슐을 회수하고 정비한 뒤 재사용함으로써 우주비행 비용을 크게 줄일 잠재력이 있다.”

이제 그중 하나의 궤도상 모습을 확실하게 확인하게 된 중국의 우주비행체들은, 성장하고 있는 이러한 생태계에서 갈수록 중요한 역할을 담당하게 될 것으로 보인다.

업데이트: 미국 동부시간 오후 6시 32분

Vantor는 일부 요소가 가려진 것으로 보이는 중국 우주비행체 사진의 추가 사본과 몇 가지 추가 정보를 제공했다. 회사는 이 사진이 2024년 5월 28일 월드뷰-3(WorldView-3) 위성이 약 56마일(90km) 미만의 거리에서 촬영한 것이라고 확인했다.

Vantor는 또한 “비행체 후방 부분에는 별도의 위성이 도킹해 있으며, 그 구조물과 태양전지판이 보인다”고 설명했다. “우주비행체의 탑재물 적재실 문은 열린 상태로 뚜렷하게 확인된다.”

저자 연락처: joe\@twz.com

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U.S. Intel Confirm‎s This Is China's Secret Spaceplane (Updated)

U.S. Intel Confirm‎s This Is China's Secret Spaceplane (Updated)

U.S. Intel Confirm‎s This Is China’s Secret Spaceplane (Updated)

The Chinese spaceplane design is unsurprisingly very similar to the U.S. Space Force's history-making X-37B.

Joseph Trevithick

Published Oct 27, 2026 5:33 PM EDT

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The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has confirmed that an image that has been circulating online for years does indeed show an experimental Chinese reusable spaceplane in orbit. A newly released higher-resolution copy of the image underscores that the design is nearly a dead ringer for the X-37B miniature space shuttles now operated by the U.S. Space Force.

DIA included the higher-resolution image of the Chinese spaceplane in a new unclassified report on global security challenges outside of the Earth’s atmosphere, which was released yesterday. A satellite belonging to Maxar Technologies (now Vantor) captured the image, but when exactly remains unclear. It does have a 2024 copyright date.

The image shows a miniature space shuttle-like design with small wings and twin vertical tails. It also has upward-opening doors above a central payload bay. There is also an extension at the tail end with solar panels seen deployed on either side. There are what look to be side-by-side ventral bays, which are likely for the main gear in a tricycle landing gear configuration. Overall, the core design is extremely similar to that of the U.S. X-37B, which also features tricycle landing gear and can also be fitted with an extended payload module at the tail. One major difference is that the wings on the Chinese design have a much longer chord compared to the X-37B.

A side-by-side comparison of the on-orbit shot of the experimental Chinese reusable spaceplane (at left) and a U.S. X-37B fitted with an extended payload module being prepared for launch (at right). Vantor/U.S. Space Force

Another look at an X-37B, seen here sitting on its tricycle landing gear after returning from a mission in space. USAF The X-37B used on the OTV-6 mission on the flight line at the Kennedy Space Center after its return to Earth on November 12, 2022. USAF

“A key capability for reusable space activities are spaceplanes like this PRC [People’s Republic of China] Spaceplane captured by Maxar. Spaceplanes can launch into orbit to place objects in space or even test them and return to earth [sic],” reads the caption to the picture in DIA’s report.

As noted, the basic fact of the existence of this image is not new. U.S. Space Force Col. John Patrick, then head of U.S. Space Forces-Korea (SPACEFOR-KOR), included a much lower-resolution version in a presentation at the Open Space Forum in South Korea in 2024. It was also not immediately clear at that time whether or not the picture simply showed an X-37B. TWZ had reached out at the time to the U.S. Space Force and Maxar for more information, and both had declined to comment. Two X-37Bs were built, and they have been sent on eight orbital missions, in total, since 2010. The Orbital Test Vehicle 8 (OTV-8) mission was launched on August 22, 2025.

China is understood to have conducted four separate orbital spaceplane missions using the same experimental vehicle since 2020. Three of those missions had concluded before Col. Patrick gave his presentation. The most recent launch occurred on February 7 of this year, and the vehicle has not yet returned, at least as far as we are aware.

On the third mission, which lasted from December 14, 2023, to September 6, 2024, the Chinese spaceplane was observed releasing multiple smaller objects into orbit. What those payloads may have been remains unknown, but they could have been released from the main payload bay, which is seen open in the on-orbit image. The bay could have opened without any subsequent release of objects on either of the two prior missions, as well.

As an aside, the spaceplane appears to have released at least one more object earlier this year in the course of its latest mission.

A secretive airbase in the northwest end of China, sporting one of the longest runways in the world at 16,400 feet, looks to be where the spaceplane has landed after missions. The facility, which has been expanded massively in recent years, is now loosely akin to America’s top-secret proving ground at Area 51, and has been the site of other advanced aviation test efforts.

DIA’s report also says that “China has two primary spaceplane models: the Shenlong and Tengyun,” but does not specify which one is seen in the image. The name Shenlong has been commonly used to refer to the spaceplane China has been experimenting with to date. Images said to show a prototype or test article of this design slung underneath an H-6 bomber for testing purposes had emerged in 2007.

Images that emerged in 2007 of a reusable spaceplane prototype, or a related test article, referred to as Shenlong, underneath an H-6 bomber. Chinese internet

The state-run China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) unveiled the Tengyun design in 2016 as part of a so-called two-stage-to-orbit system that uses a mothership aircraft flying within the atmosphere as part of the launch method rather than a traditional space launch rocket. As of 2020, CASIC was aiming for a live test of Tengyun in 2025, but it is not immediately clear whether or not that occurred.

Images showing wind tunnel testing of a Chinese two-stage-to-orbit concept. Chinese internet

There have been other spaceplane developments in China in recent years. This includes designs from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) subsidiary Chengdu. The design from Chengdu is called Haolong and has been in development officially as an option for resupplying the country’s Tiangong space station.

In general, “spaceplanes are … reusable and feature enhanced maneuverability, making them more suitable for certain missions than traditional satellites,” DIA’s report notes.

TWZ has highlighted in the past how reusable space shuttle-like vehicles offer ideal platforms for rapidly deploying small satellites and any other payloads into orbit. In this way, they can be critical assets for space-based experimentation, as well as operational activities. This could include intelligence gathering, and even on-orbit attacks, areas of clear interest to the Chinese government.

As we often mention in the context of the X-37B, spaceplanes also have distinct advantages when it comes to rendezvousing with and maneuvering very close to other objects in space. They can execute course changes and other maneuvers in ways that traditional satellites cannot. All of this only underscores their potential as weapon systems, as well as for gathering intelligence. The fact that a Maxar (now Vantor) satellite took an on-orbit picture – a service the company is known to offer – of a Chinese spaceplane further highlights the kind of cat-and-mouse games that are increasingly emerging in space. The general risks posed by these kinds of activities were recently thrust into the public eye by the unprecedentedly close shadowing of a commercial radar imaging satellite tied to Ukraine by another satellite belonging to Russia.

China has been making massive investments, in general, in new space-based intelligence and other capabilities in recent years. Chinese space developments have now also extended into reusable space launch rocket boosters. Space launch company LandSpace became the first in China to achieve a successful recovery of a reusable space launch rocket booster on land in August. That followed CASC’s successful recovery of a reusable space launch rocket booster at sea using a specially configured ship the month before.

ZhuQue-3 first landing

In general, “access to space traditionally requires expendable spacecraft: single-use launch vehicles, satellites, and one-time use capsules designed to maximize performance. Reliance on expendable vehicles has made access to space expensive and exclusive,” DIA’s report explains. “Reusable technologies, while even more difficult and expensive to develop and build, stand to greatly reduce the cost of spaceflight by recovering, refurbishing, and reusing rocket stages, fairings, and capsules.”

Chinese spaceplanes, one of which we have not definitively gotten a view of in orbit, look set to become an increasingly important part of this growing ecosystem.

Update: 6:32 PM ET –

Vantor has now provided an additional copy of the image of the Chinese spaceplane, elements of which look to be redacted, and some additional details. The company has confirmed it was taken on May 28, 2024, by the WorldView-3 satellite at a range of just under 56 miles (90 kilometers).

“There is a separate satellite docked to the aft section of the vehicle whose structure and solar arrays are visible,” Vantor also told us. “The spacecraft’s payload bay doors are visibly open.”

Contact the author: joe@twz.com

Joseph TrevithickDeputy Editor

Joseph is TWZ’s Deputy Editor, helping to oversee the site’s highly experienced and dedicated team, while also writing informative and impactful defense and national security content. He lives right in the thick of it in the Washington, D.C. area.

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