On February 20, 2025, the U.S. Space Force released the first-ever public photo of the X-37B space plane in orbit, marking a significant milestone during its ongoing seventh mission, which launched on December 28, 2023.

This photo provides a rare insight into the X-37B's operations, as previous glimpses were only available during launch livestreams.

The X-37B, a secretive unmanned spaceplane originally developed by NASA and now operated by the military, is designed to test new technologies and enhance reusable spacecraft capabilities.

This spaceplane plays a crucial role in the U.S. military's efforts to improve its satellite network for enhanced communication and missile detection.

Boeing has continuously upgraded the X-37B, enhancing its internal systems, including collision avoidance capabilities, to adapt to the increasingly congested space environment.

During this mission, the X-37B is testing innovative aerobraking maneuvers, which allow it to change its orbit using minimal fuel, demonstrating the Space Force's commitment to innovation.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman have praised the aerobraking technique as a major milestone for U.S. military capabilities in orbit.

The mission also includes NASA's Seeds-2 experiment, which studies the effects of long-duration spaceflight on plant seeds in a harsh radiation environment.

While details about the mission timeline and the X-37B's return to Earth remain undisclosed, it has already spent over 400 days in orbit as of January 31, 2025.

The release of the photo may indicate a shift towards greater transparency in military space operations, especially amid concerns about adversaries like China and Russia developing counterspace capabilities.

The released photo, taken from the X-37B's onboard camera, shows a view of Earth and highlights one of its solar panels and an open payload bay.

Prior to this release, the U.S. Space Force maintained a high level of secrecy around the X-37B's functions, leading to speculation about its uses for intelligence and reconnaissance.