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.
First In-orbit Photo Taken By Secretive Boeing X-37B Spacecraft Officially Released
B's seventh mission, shows Earth from High-Elliptical Orbit. On Feb. 20, 2025, the Secretary of the Air Force Public
Secretive X-37B space plane shares first images from orbit; see photos
For the first time, the US military shared an orbital selfie from its mysterious X-37B space plane, which captured Earth from high above Africa.
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.
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.
TASS2y
US Boeing X-37 may carry weapons of mass destruction — Head of Roscosmos
MOSCOW, April 23. /TASS/. US Boeing X-37 orbital spacecraft may carry reconnaissance tools or weapons of mass destruction, Director General of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin said on Saturday.
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 ...