The US Space Force has released an image taken from its deep X-37B place planing machine in orbit around the Earth .
Since 2010 , when the first X-37B ballistic capsule was launched , the Earth has been revolve by the top secret cunning for over4,000 days , disperse across seven foreign mission . The late mission launch in December 2023 , and has interpret the spacecraft orbit high above the Earth forover a year .
While the ultimate function of the carpenter’s plane and its missionary station continue classified , the Space Force has unwrap a few item about its activity , as well as releasing a exposure . In October 2024 , Space Force announced that the spaceplane would be attempting afirst - of - its - kindmaneuver while in gamey - ground orbit ( HEO ) in society to alter its area as well as safely dispose of components for comply with space debris palliation agreements .
The X-37B space plane in high-Earth orbit.Image credit: Space Force
" The use of the aerobraking maneuver- a series of passes using the drag of Earth ’s atmosphere- enables the ballistic capsule to change orbits while expending minimum fuel , " Space Force explained in astatement . " Once the aerobrake maneuver is sodding , the X-37B will sum up its trial run and experimentation objective lens until they are accomplished , at which time the vehicle will de - orbit and carry out a safe comeback as it has during its six old missions . "
In an update onXon February 21 , Space Force posted a photo showing a portion of the aeroplane in sphere , as well as a fairish purview of the Earth .
" An X-37B onboard tv camera , used to control the health and prophylactic of the vehicle , captures an image of Earth while conducting experiments in HEO in 2024 , " Space Force wrote of the exposure . " The X-37B execute a serial publication of first - of - kind tactical manoeuvre , called aerobraking , to safely change its ambit using minimum fuel . "
The missionary station object glass of the outer space woodworking plane – similar in pattern to NASA ’s space shuttles – have remain a closely defend secret . The Air Force is soused - lipped about the plane , leaving the great unwashed to speculate it ’s doing anything from puttingspy satellitesinto orbit to testing out anEmDrive in distance .
When the craft launched , conspiracy theoriser propose it could be a " blank space hero sandwich " , a full seven years before Trump even createdSpace Force . The theory was quickly subjugate by expert , who pointed out how change a space vehicle ’s orbital planerequires a lot of thrustthat would eat up its limited fuel provision extremely quickly . fundamentally it would be useless at hitting any targets that did n’t happen to already be on its flight track .
The Air Force ’s official account does n’t give away too much .
" The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle , or OTV , is an experimental trial program to present technology for a authentic , reusable , unmanned quad test platform for the US Air Force , " the Air Force said in onestatement .
" The primary objectives of the X-37B are twofold ; reusable ballistic capsule applied science for America ’s future in space and operating experiments which can be returned to , and examined , on Earth . Technologies being tested in the programme admit advanced guidance , piloting and control , thermic security system , avionics , in high spirits temperature structure and seal , conformal reusable insulating material , lightweight electromechanical flying systems , advanced actuation system , advanced material and autonomous orbital trajectory , reentry and landing place . "
For now , you ’ll either have to bear the prescribed explanation , or just get prosperous with the knowledge that there ’s a mysterious space planing machine fly high above our heads , and only the US military knows why .
