First-Ever Earth Photo from Secretive X-37B Spaceplane Released

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Space Force has released the first-ever publicly available photo taken by its X-37B spaceplane while in orbit. Captured on February 20, 2025, during its seventh mission, the image shows Earth as viewed from high above the African continent, with one of the craft’s solar panels prominently displayed.

The X-37B, an unmanned and reusable spaceplane, was launched for its current mission on December 28, 2023. This latest milestone marks the first time the Pentagon has shared an in-orbit image of the spacecraft, heightening interest in its classified operations. “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 in 2024,” the Space Force stated.

While specific details about the ongoing experiments aboard the X-37B remain limited, the mission involves testing new technologies, including aerobraking maneuvers. Aerobraking, a technique that uses atmospheric drag to adjust a spacecraft’s orbit with minimal fuel expenditure, has significant implications for future space operations. U.S. Space Force Secretary Frank Kendall described the recent maneuvers as a “novel and efficient series of techniques,” focusing on innovation in space operations.

The X-37B has been shrouded in secrecy, fueling speculation about its capabilities and purposes. Previous missions have been associated with testing various technologies, including advanced thermal protection systems and autonomous flight capabilities. The image release underscores the military’s drive to improve transparency regarding its space operations, amidst rising global interest in reusable spaceflight.

Gen. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, noted that while the current mission focuses on demonstrating reusable spacecraft technologies, the X-37B also carries NASA‘s Seeds-2 experiment. This experiment investigates the effects of long-duration spaceflight on plant seeds—a venture underlining the diverse objectives of the mission.

Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy, this marks the program’s first use of the powerful rocket, allowing the X-37B to reach higher altitudes than previous missions. Space experts speculate that the spaceplane may be venturing beyond the conventional geostationary orbit zone located approximately 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth—an unprecedented move that raises concerns about emerging military capabilities.

Despite the increasing interest, the Space Force and its predecessor, the Air Force, have historically provided little information on the X-37B’s operations. The combination of secrecy and advanced technology has led to numerous theories concerning its potential role as a space-based surveillance platform. The latest image, while revealing little about the vehicle itself, provides a rare glimpse into its functions in orbit and furthers the conversation on military activity in the expansive realm of outer space.