A rare glimpse of the classified spacecraft
In an unprecedented move, the United States Space Force (USSF) has released the first-ever photograph of its mysterious X-37B space plane in orbit. Captured by an onboard camera, the image shows the spacecraft flying high above Africa, marking the first time the public has been given a glimpse of the top-secret vehicle in space.
The X-37B, which launched on December 28, 2023, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, has been in orbit for over a year on its seventh mission.
Though the photo reveals little about the mission’s objectives, the Space Force confirmed that the vehicle is conducting classified experiments, including aerobraking maneuvers to modify its orbit using minimal fuel.
Social media reacts
As the X-37B’s image spread online, users speculated that the US may have even more advanced spacecraft in the works.
“This is such a flex,” one user wrote.
“Love that the US has had a secret spaceplane doing secret spaceplane stuff for two decades and now it’s just dropping teaser pics,” another added.
A third joked: “If they’re showing this now, imagine what they’re NOT showing us!”
What is the X-37B?
Operated by the Space Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office, the X-37B is a 29-foot-long spaceplane with a 15-foot wingspan, designed to test cutting-edge space technologies. These include advanced propulsion systems, thermal protection, and autonomous reentry capabilities.
While many details remain classified, the Space Force has disclosed that OTV-7 (Orbital Test Vehicle-7) involves experiments like radiation exposure studies and space domain awareness tests.
Originally developed by NASA in 1999, the X-37B program was later transferred to the Department of Defense. Across seven missions, the spacecraft has now spent over 4,000 days in orbit, with each mission setting new endurance records.
