Polish spy satellite captures images of Chinese carrier under construction, hints at nuclear reactor compartments
Poland's Mikroglob-1 satellite sent back high-resolution photos of the Dalian shipyard showing a hull that appears to be China’s fourth aircraft carrier, with visible structures likely housing nuclear reactors.
Poland’s newly deployed observation satellite Mikroglob-1 has transmitted its inaugural pictures, revealing the Dalian shipyard in northeast China where a new aircraft carrier is under construction. Creotech Instruments, which built the satellite, interprets the uncovered compartments on the vessel’s deck as likely intended for two nuclear reactors. The firm emphasized that the satellite can operate in both visible and near-infrared spectra, illustrating its capabilities with infrared images of New Orleans.
Mikroglob-1 is the first of four satellites developed with the Polish Ministry of Defence, the others having been launched last week. Officials describe the program as a step toward enhancing Poland’s security and reconnaissance capacity.
Why it matters
The images demonstrate Poland’s expanding space-based intelligence and provide rare visual data on China’s carrier development.
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