Wow! What an incredible find!

In a stunning development just weeks after spotting a secret Chinese spaceplane, Felix Schöfbänker, an amateur astronomer from Austria, has made headlines again with his latest discovery—an unidentified U.S. military spacecraft.

Speaking exclusively to Space.com, Schöfbänker detailed his unique experience of capturing detailed images of a Pentagon craft that continues to elude public knowledge. Equipped with a specialized 14-inch Dobsonian telescope designed for satellite tracking, the astrophotographer diligently cross-referenced his captured images with specifications of various military satellites provided by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

While most of the satellites he observed are recognized assets like the Boeing-built Future Image Architecture (FIA)-Radar and the Keyhole (KH)-11 satellites, one craft captured his attention due to its unusual design.

"In July, I managed to get a glimpse of a satellite designated 'USA 290,' which many speculate could be another KH-11," Schöfbänker noted. "However, my images reveal a design that's distinctly different from the typical KH-11."

What raises eyebrows is a peculiar five-meter (approximately 16-foot) long panel that Schöfbänker identified on USA 290. "The KH-11s lack structures like that," he explained. While there’s a possibility that the panel could be a solar array, Schöfbänker believes this is less likely. He pointed out that the panel appears to be fixed to the satellite's body, which implies that the whole craft would have to maneuver in sync to harness solar energy effectively.

Furthermore, the behavior of USA 290 does not conform to the expected patterns of KH-11s, which are usually placed into sun-synchronous orbits. Schöfbänker observed that this unidentified craft's trajectory deviated from that norm, prompting even more intrigue.

Despite potentially capturing classified images for a second time this summer, Schöfbänker remains unfazed by the prospect of attracting unwanted attention. "I don’t think major powers would be too concerned about an amateur like me photographing their spacecraft," he stated, acknowledging that large nations often have dedicated observatories for monitoring such activities.

The implications of this discovery are significant. Could USA 290 represent a new wave of U.S. surveillance technology? Or is it an experimental satellite that’s part of an emerging defense strategy? As nations around the world ramp up their space programs, the interest in clandestine space operations intensifies.

Stay tuned as this breathtaking story continues to unfold!