On social media, many viewers were stunned after a rare image from a top-secret spacecraft was shared for the first time.
A Glimpse into the X-37B Mission
A rare image from a top-secret spacecraft has been shared online. Space enthusiasts now have a new insight into its mysterious mission.
The X-37B spacecraft has completed multiple missions over the past 15 years. Many of these missions remain classified, leaving the public with little knowledge about its objectives.
Currently, the spacecraft is on its seventh mission, OV-7, which began in 2023. It was launched using a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket and has spent over 4,000 days in orbit.
The First-Ever shared image
On X platform, a user, who goes by @SpaceForceDoD shared a top-secret spacecraft and quickly gained attention among viewers.
The US Space Force recently released a rare photo from X-37B.
The image, taken from an onboard camera, shows Earth while the spacecraft conducted experiments in Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO).
In a tweet on February 21, Space Force stated: “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 X-37B executed a series of first-of-kind maneuvers, called aerobraking, to safely change its orbit using minimal fuel.”
According to the Space Foundation, an HEO is an elongated orbit with one end closer to Earth. These orbits are used for communication, remote sensing, and satellite radio applications.
Social media reaction
A rare image from a top-secret spacecraft was shared for the first time, leaving viewers stunned. The release of the image also sparked excitement among space enthusiasts.
One person said: Grok estimates for the earth to be that size relative to the ship it would be 250,000 to 400,000 miles away. It would be in lunar orbit if anything.
A second wrote: Super cool. Amazing picture.
While a third commented: Hilarious! Is this supposed to be a real photo? Because nobody is buying it.
Another added: Yall need better Cameras.
Someone else said: OMG, More of this, please!
Another added: I wonder if it’s on a highly eccentric orbit that drops to LEO? I imagine the atmosphere would be too sparse at HEO to perform significantl aerobraking
Aerobraking: A New Maneuver
The X-37B executed a groundbreaking maneuver called aerobraking. This technique allows the spacecraft to change its orbit using minimal fuel.
Space Force explained: “The X-37B executed a series of first-of-kind maneuvers, called aerobraking, to safely change its orbit using minimal fuel.”
In October 2024, Space Force had announced its plan to trial aerobraking. The maneuver involves multiple passes through Earth’s atmosphere to slow down the spacecraft.
Space Force emphasized that this strategy aligns with space debris mitigation standards. Once the maneuver is complete, the spacecraft will resume its test missions before eventually returning safely to Earth.