Top-Secret X-37B Space Plane Captured in Rare Image Release

Image from Wikipedia: The Air Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Mission 4 landed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility on May 7, 2017. Managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, the X-37B program is the newest and most advanced re-entry spacecraft that performs risk reduction, experimentation, and concept of operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies. The vehicle is uncrewed; the people on the runway are ground support.

By Staff Writer with Agencies

For years, it circled Earth in silence. No crew, no live updates—just a small, black-winged spacecraft vanishing into the void, leaving behind speculation and intrigue. The X-37B, America’s top-secret advanced space plane, has long been the subject of classified briefings and Pentagon denials.

Now, for the first time, the U.S. Space Force has given the world a rare glimpse of what it sees. A newly released image, quietly shared through the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), shows a portion of the X-37B’s structure, with the vast blue curve of Earth in the background.

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

A Mission Cloaked in Secrecy

Officials confirm that the image was captured sometime in 2024 but have not disclosed the exact date. The X-37B, a reusable orbital vehicle developed by Boeing, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy on December 28, 2023, embarking on its seventh mission—designated OTV-7. This mission differs from previous ones in that the spacecraft has ventured further into space, beyond its usual low-Earth orbit.

Mastering Aerobraking for Future Spaceflight

According to the Space Force, the X-37B has been testing a critical new capability: aerobraking.

“An X-37B onboard camera, used to ensure the health and safety of the vehicle, captures an image of Earth while conducting experiments in a highly elliptical orbit,” the Space Force posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Aerobraking allows spacecraft to slow down using the upper layers of Earth’s atmosphere rather than expending valuable fuel. This technique could revolutionize space travel, enabling longer missions, greater maneuverability, and fuel conservation for deep-space exploration.

Theories and Speculations

Despite official explanations, speculation surrounds the true purpose of the X-37B. The Space Force insists it is a research platform dedicated to risk reduction and the testing of next-generation space technologies. Officials have hinted at experiments related to radiation exposure, sensors, and reusable spacecraft capabilities.

NASA has previously used the vehicle to study how biological materials react to prolonged spaceflight, which could provide crucial insights for future missions to Mars and beyond.

However, skeptics question whether the X-37B’s long-duration, uncrewed missions serve a more strategic purpose. Some suspect it could be testing advanced surveillance technologies or even military applications. China has also been developing its secretive space plane, fueling concerns about an emerging space-based arms race.

No Return Date in Sight

For now, the X-37B remains in orbit, conducting undisclosed experiments. There is no official timeline for its return.

“The mission is now continuing its test and experimentation objectives,” the Space Force stated in its latest update.

When the X-37B finally returns to Earth, it will likely do so without fanfare—slipping back into secrecy, leaving the world to wonder what its next mission might be.