A secretive U.S. spaceplane just snapped a stunning view of Earth
From time to time, the U.S. military shows glimpses of its X-37B spaceplane, which can travel to space for years at a time. We just got another glimpse. The U.S. Space Force — which took the reins from the Air Force's expansive military operations in space in 2019 — has released a view the robotic craft took from Earth's orbit.
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.
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.
US Space Force reveals 1st look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit (photo)
The United States Space Force just offered a rare glimpse of its shadowy X-37B space plane in orbit. The photo, released on Thursday (Feb. 20), was taken by a camera onboard the X-37B while the secretive space plane orbited high above the African continent.
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Space Force’s secretive X-37B plane has spent more than 900 days in orbit
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