A rare image taken by the top-secret X-37B spacecraft has been shared by the U.S. Space Force, giving the public a glimpse of Earth from an undisclosed orbit. The X-37B, an unmanned spaceplane operated by the Space Force, has been on classified missions for over 15 years, with its current journey, OTV-7, launching in 2023 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
The recently released photo, posted on Space Force’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, shows part of the spacecraft and a breathtaking view of Earth. The post explained that the image was taken during a mission testing “aerobraking maneuvers”—a fuel-efficient technique that uses atmospheric drag to adjust the craft’s orbit.
The release of this image has left space enthusiasts in awe, with many urging Space Force to share more. One person commented, “Amazing picture,” while another wrote, “More of this, please!” The mission’s objectives remain largely classified, but Space Force previously stated it was conducting experiments in Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO).
An X-37B onboard camera, used to ensure the health and safety of the vehicle, captures an image of Earth while conducting experiments in HEO in 2024.The X-37B executed a series of first-of-kind maneuvers, called aerobraking, to safely change its orbit using minimal fuel. pic.twitter.com/ccisgl493P
— United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) February 21, 2025
This is one of the rare instances where an image from the secretive X-37B program has been made public. The spacecraft has logged over 4,000 days in orbit since its first mission, and while its full purpose remains unknown, its latest experiments suggest the U.S. is pushing the limits of orbital maneuverability and spaceflight technology.
