On February 21, 2025, the United States Space Force (USSF) shared the first photograph of its classified X-37B space plane in orbit, taken while it circled above Africa. The X-37B, having launched for its seventh mission on December 28, 2023, has been operating for over a year. This image shows Earth and underscores the vehicle’s experimental functions, including maneuvers called aerobraking to adjust its orbit efficiently. The release of the photo sparked social media speculation about the potential of more advanced space technologies being developed. The X-37B program has logged over 4,000 days in space since its inception in 1999.
On Friday (Feb 21), the United States Space Force (USSF) unveiled the first photograph of its highly classified X-37B space plane in orbit, delighting social media users. The image was captured by a camera aboard the space plane as it orbited high over the African continent. The vehicle has been in orbit for more than a year, having launched for its seventh mission on December 28, 2023, via a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
While the photo provides limited information about the vehicle and the experiments it was conducting, it marks the first occasion that the Space Force has shared an image of the secretive plane in orbit.
“An X-37B onboard camera, utilized to monitor the vehicle’s health and safety, captures an image of Earth while conducting experiments in HEO in 2024,” stated the USSF post.
“The X-37B executed a series of unprecedented maneuvers known as aerobraking to safely alter its orbit using minimal fuel.”
An X-37B onboard camera, utilized to monitor the vehicle’s health and safety, captures an image of Earth while conducting experiments in HEO in 2024. The X-37B executed a series of unprecedented maneuvers known as aerobraking to safely alter its orbit using minimal fuel. pic.twitter.com/ccisgl493P
— United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) February 21, 2025
Social Media Reactions
As the image spread online, social media users reacted with amusement, with several speculating that the US Space Force may be developing something even more advanced since they chose to release pictures of the X-37B.
“This is quite a flex,” remarked one user, while another added, “It’s amazing that the US has been running a secret spaceplane for two decades, and now it’s sharing coy pictures.”
A third user commented: “What was that saying again? ‘If they’re showing you this now, they are likely already working on something far more advanced’ or something like that.”
What was that saying again? “If they’re showing you this now, they are likely already working on something far more advanced” or something https://t.co/wmFsVsPDVX
— Ujwal Nambiar (@theujwalnambiar) February 22, 2025
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What is the X-37B?
The X-37B, managed by the Space Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office, is a 29-foot-long space plane with a 15-foot wingspan, designed to test advanced technologies including propulsion systems, thermal protection, and autonomous reentry capabilities.
Although some details remain confidential, the Space Force has revealed that OTV-7 includes experiments such as studies on radiation effects and space domain awareness tests. The X-37B program, which originated under NASA in 1999 and later moved to the Department of Defense, has successfully completed seven missions, with each flight extending its duration in orbit. In total, it has accumulated over 4,000 days in space across all missions.