WARSAW — New high-resolution satellite imagery from Poland’s Mikroglob-1 has provided a detailed view of China’s fourth aircraft carrier under construction at the Dalian Shipping Heavy Industry Group shipyard in Dalian.
The imagery was released by Polish technology company Creotech Instruments and was captured in the panchromatic band. It covers an area of approximately 5.3 by 7.4 kilometres, with the carrier’s large hull visible at the centre.
The vessel is widely referred to by analysts as Type 004 and would become China’s fourth aircraft carrier after Liaoning, Shandong and Fujian.
🇵🇱 First Earth imagery from Mikroglob-1. Poland now has its own eyes in orbit. 🛰️ Mikroglob strengthens Poland’s sovereign satellite capabilities, domestic technological expertise and national security. https://t.co/c3Z3KCnhlf #Mikroglob #EarthObservation #SpaceTech https://t.co/MxfzRVJyiq
— Creotech Instruments SA. (@CreotechSa) October 5, 2026
Possible Signs of Nuclear Propulsion
The most significant feature in the imagery is the still-open internal section of the carrier’s hull. Creotech said two visible compartments, each measuring approximately 15 by 15 metres, could be intended to accommodate nuclear reactors.
Earlier satellite analysis had also identified the two large compartments and suggested they could be associated with a nuclear propulsion system. Similar openings were not observed during the construction of the conventionally powered Fujian.
If confirmed, the Type 004 would become China’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. However, Beijing has not officially confirmed the vessel’s propulsion system or its final specifications.
Nuclear propulsion would allow an aircraft carrier to operate without the same need for regular fuel replenishment and would provide substantial onboard electrical-generation capacity. The exact capabilities of the Type 004 remain unconfirmed.
Construction at Dalian
Construction of the carrier began with prefabricated hull modules appearing at Dalian in early 2025. Satellite imagery later showed the assembly of major hull and keel sections, followed by continued work on the bow and other parts of the vessel.
September 2026 imagery indicated that work was continuing on the bulbous bow. Measurements from that imagery estimated the completed hull could be approximately 336 to 339 metres long, although the final dimensions remain unconfirmed.
Poland’s Growing Satellite Capability
Mikroglob-1 is the first satellite in Poland’s Mikroglob Earth-observation constellation. It was launched on 7 July 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket during the Transporter-17 mission.
The programme is being developed by Creotech Instruments under a contract with Poland’s Armament Agency and is intended to provide Earth-observation capabilities for security, defence and civilian applications.
Three additional satellites — Mikroglob-2, Mikroglob-3 and Mikroglob-4 — were launched on 1 October 2026. The Dalian imagery therefore provides an early public demonstration of Poland’s expanding satellite-observation capability.
The latest images offer another independent view of China’s Type 004 construction and provide additional evidence for open-source assessments that the carrier could be designed around nuclear propulsion. However, the propulsion system will remain unconfirmed until further evidence or an official Chinese announcement is available.
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