Senior space observer Felix Scheffbanker from Upper Austria shared photos of the Chinese spacecraft, currently on its third flight around the Earth. The device was launched into orbit by a launch vehicle on December 14, 2023. Long March 2F.

Chefbanker used a telescope with a 14-inch mirror and special equipment that could track satellites and automatically keep them in the center of the field of view. He created these images by shooting video during the flight and then combining (averaging) and sharpening the best shots.

The images show two solar panels and other elements such as antennas that were not seen in previous computer renderings. The device is about 10 meters (33 feet) long, making it longer than the American X-37B space plane operated by the U.S. Space Force, Scheffbanker said. However, he noted that the angle at which light hit the plane could obscure some details.

The Chinese spacecraft appears to have a nose-forward flight path like a regular aircraft. Recently, the device lowered its orbit to an altitude of about 350 km above Earth.

The purpose of the third flight of the Chinese space plane is unknown, reminiscent of the situation with the American X-37B spacecraft, which launched on December 29, 2023 and remained on a secret mission for 216 days.