The secretive X-37B space plane snapped this picture of Earth from orbit

It’s not every day that we get to see a glimpse of what a mysterious space plane is up to in orbit. This week, the US Space Force shared a picture it says was snapped last year by the X-37B, showing Earth in the distance and a bit of the craft itself. X-37B launched on its seventh mission at the end of 2023, though not much is known about what that mission entails. Its previous flight, which wrapped up in 2022, set a new endurance record for the space plane, logging 908 days in orbit.

There isn't too much information to glean from the photo, but it does offer a rare look at X-37B in space. “An X-37B onboard camera, used to ensure the health and safety of the vehicle, captures an image of Earth while conducting experiments in HEO in 2024,” the Space Force wrote on X.

A portion of the X-37B space plane is shown at the top of the image, and Earth can be seen below it in the background against a black sky
US Space Force

One thing we have been told about the current mission is that it marks the first time the Boeing-made X-37B has tried out a maneuver known as aerobraking, or a more fuel-efficient method of changing orbit through “a series of passes using the drag of Earth's atmosphere.” The Space Force said back in October that the vehicle had begun the process, and the latest update indicates it was successful. “The X-37B executed a series of first-of-kind maneuvers, called aerobraking, to safely change its orbit using minimal fuel,” the Space Force noted. It's unknown how much longer the mission is expected to go on.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/the-secretive-x-37b-space-plane-snapped-this-picture-of-earth-from-orbit-204803146.html?src=rss https://www.engadget.com/science/space/the-secretive-x-37b-space-plane-snapped-this-picture-of-earth-from-orbit-204803146.html?src=rss
Created 2mo | Feb 22, 2025, 10:30:11 PM


Login to add comment

Other posts in this group

The Morning After: Google gives Android its own show

Google I/O is usually where the company reveals what’s happening with its smartphone OS for the next 12 months, but this year, Android is getting its own thing. A week ahead of I/O, Google will dee

Apr 29, 2025, 12:40:33 PM | Engadget
US Congress passes 'Take It Down' revenge porn bill that also covers AI deepfakes

The US House of Representatives has passed the

Apr 29, 2025, 12:40:32 PM | Engadget
The best sous vide machine for 2025

For those looking to elevate their cooking, a sous vide machine might be the perfect addition to

Apr 29, 2025, 12:40:31 PM | Engadget
Duolingo will replace contract workers with AI

Duolingo is now going to be "AI-first," the company has announced — aka it will drop employees in favor of using AI. In a

Apr 29, 2025, 12:40:29 PM | Engadget
How to watch and follow LlamaCon 2025, Meta's first generative AI developer conference, today

After a couple years of having its open-source Llama AI model be just a part of its Connect conferences, Meta is breaking things out and hosting an entirely generative AI-focused developer conferen

Apr 29, 2025, 10:20:15 AM | Engadget
Wholesome Direct 2025 will premiere on June 7

Wholesome Direct, an annual showcase of cute and cozy games, is returning on Saturday, June 7 at 12PM ET / 9AM PT. This year's event will show off "a vibrant lineup of artistic, uplifting, and emot

Apr 28, 2025, 10:40:18 PM | Engadget
There’s a massive power outage cross Spain, Portugal and parts of France

Spain, Portugal and parts of France have experienced a

Apr 28, 2025, 8:30:19 PM | Engadget