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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 Week22h
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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Mysterious X-37B is set for orbit again. "Groundbreaking" experiments
The elusive American shuttle X-37B is due to be launched into space aboard SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket soon. This marks the seventh mission of this vessel, serving yet again as a test site.
Task & Purpose2y
Space Force’s secretive X-37B plane has spent more than 900 days in orbit
The X-37B craft has now been circling the earth for 902 days, greatly exceeding its previous record of 780 days. And it doesn’t appear to be coming back to Earth any time in the immediate future.
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 ...
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The Enigmatic X-37B plane soon to embark on its seventh mission
The American spaceplane, X-37B, is gearing up for its seventh mission in space. Scheduled for an early December launch, this cutting-edge machine will be launched into space aboard SpaceX's mighty ...