In an unprecedented move, the United States Space Force has released a photograph taken by the secretive X-37B spaceplane, marking the first public glimpse inside the spacecraft since its debut mission in 2010. The image, captured by an onboard camera, offers a rare look at the highly classified vehicle as it conducts experiments in orbit.
X-37B maintenance team works with the spacecraft Photo credit: U.S. Department of Defense
Since its maiden voyage on April 22, 2010, the Boeing-built X-37B has remained one of the most enigmatic spacecraft in history. Designed as a reusable robotic spaceplane, it has completed six extended missions, with durations reaching up to 908 days in space. Despite its longevity in orbit, details regarding its operations remain tightly controlled, with officials only referring to its purpose as "orbital experiments."
The newly released photograph was taken in 2024 during the X-37B’s ongoing seventh mission, which commenced on December 29, 2023. According to the U.S. Space Force, the image was captured by a camera installed on the vehicle to "ensure the health and safety" of the spacecraft. The image reveals the spacecraft’s solar panel and internal compartment, while a distant Earth can be seen in the background. This marks the first time the Pentagon has shared an image from onboard the X-37B in over a decade.
Unlike previous missions that primarily operated in low Earth orbit, this mission is being conducted in a highly elliptical orbit, extending far beyond typical parking altitudes. Notably, this is the first X-37B launch utilizing SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket, departing from the longstanding use of United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V. One of the key experiments associated with this mission is an "aerobraking maneuver," a fuel-efficient technique that allows the spacecraft to modify its orbit by briefly skimming Earth's atmosphere to generate drag. This strategy enables significant fuel savings,
potentially paving the way for new orbital adjustment methods in future space missions.
The photo taken by the Pentagon's Boeing X-37B in the orbit Photo credit: U.S. Department of Defense
The secrecy surrounding the X-37B has fueled widespread speculation and conspiracy theories. The spacecraft’s return to Earth, often greeted by technicians in hazmat suits, has sparked intrigue, though experts explain the suits as necessary precautions against potential exposure to toxic fuel remnants. The lack of official details regarding its payloads and mission objectives has only deepened the mystery surrounding the project.
The X-37B is the smallest reusable spacecraft currently in operation. Measuring 8.92 meters in length with a wingspan of 4.55 meters, it weighs nearly 5 tons at launch. It features a cargo bay measuring 2.1 by 1.2 meters, capable of carrying payloads up to approximately 23 kilograms. Two X-37B vehicles exist, alternating between missions, with the second unit currently in orbit.
Although much remains classified, the Pentagon has acknowledged that the X-37B serves as a testbed for future space technologies. Over the years, it has facilitated experiments on space-based solar power transmission, thermal protection systems, and autonomous flight advancements. With its longest mission lasting nearly two and a half years, the X-37B continues to push the boundaries of reusable spaceflight. However, the exact duration of its ongoing mission remains unknown, as the Space Force does not disclose return schedules. Meanwhile, China has entered the reusable spaceplane race, launching its own vehicle just weeks before the X-37B’s latest flight, signaling growing global interest in this cutting-edge domain.
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