US Space Force reveals 1st look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit (photo)
While the U.S. Space Force, and its previous operator the U.S. Air Force, have been tightlipped about what the space plane does on its lengthy missions, what is known is that the X-37B serves as a test platform for new space technologies.
What we know: Secretive Space Force X-37B space plane sends back photo of Earth
According to Boeing, the X-37B has a body and landing operation similar to the Space Shuttle, however it is smaller, measuring in at just one-fourth the size of the shuttle. "The X-37B design combines the best of aircraft and spacecraft into an affordable system that is easy to operate and maintain," the description read.
US military releases first photo from orbit from its mysterious space plane
The military keeps in-flight details on the X-37B relatively quiet. A new photo gives the first look at what the view is from space.
How The X-37B Is Shaping The Future Of The U.S. Space Force
During the first six missions, the X-37B spent more than 3,774 days in orbit. It launched on its current mission, OTV-7, on Dec. 28, 2023, and passed 400 days in orbit on Jan. 31. By comparison, the space shuttle spent 1,323 days in space during NASA shuttle flights between April 1981 and July 2011.
Breathtaking photo of Earth from orbit taken by US military's mysterious space plane
The U.S. Space Force released a breathtaking image of Earth from its mysterious space plane that shows the planet from thousands of miles away
First In-orbit Photo Taken By Secretive Boeing X-37B Spacecraft Officially Released
B's seventh mission, shows Earth from low-Earth orbit. On Feb. 20, 2025, the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
Secretive X-37B space plane shares first images from orbit; see photos
For the first time, the US military shared an orbital selfie from its mysterious X-37B space plane, which captured Earth from high above Africa.
Trump’s Space Force releases first ever pic from US’s top secret X-37B spy plane – as mystery surrounds its TRUE purpose
TRUMP’S Space Force has released the first-ever picture taken from the US’s top-secret X-37B spy plane. The winged, robotic ...
Aviation Week23h
The X-37B Holds A Novel Place In Family Tree of Reusable Spacecraft
The X-37B Holds A Novel Place In Family Tree of Reusable Spacecraft is available to both Aviation Week & Space Technology and AWIN subscribers. Our award-winning editors bring news, analysis and ...
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The Enigmatic X-37B plane soon to embark on its seventh mission
The USSF-52 mission is set to take off on December 7. The Falcon Heavy rocket will usher the X-37B spaceship into space from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A report from the U.S. Space ...
Task & Purpose2y
Space Force’s secretive X-37B plane has spent more than 900 days in orbit
“This important mission will host more experiments than any prior X-37B flight, including two NASA experiments,” then-Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett said in May 2020. “One is a ...
Wall Street Journal1y
Inside Boeing’s X-37B Space Plane Conducting Secret Missions for the U.S.
WSJ’s Shelby Holliday looks at what the U.S.’s Boeing-made X-37B spacecraft is capable of doing, and how these launches underscore the intensifying space race between superpowers. Photo ...
Smithsonian Magazine3y
X-40 Drop Test
The X-37B will reach orbit atop an Atlas V booster, reenter the atmosphere autonomously, and land in California. Video: NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Explore Subscribe Newsletters Content ...