The US Space Force has released its first official image of Earth taken by one of its secretive X-37B mini-shuttles. The photo, published on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), shows a clear view of our planet captured by an onboard camera during the seventh mission, OTV-7.
The X-37B, built by Boeing, completed its seventh mission in December 2023, passing 400 days in orbit. The spacecraft was launched from the Kennedy Space Center and has been operating on a highly elliptical orbit, which allows it to change its trajectory with minimal fuel.
The image, taken while conducting experiments in a highly elliptical orbit, provides a glimpse into the capabilities of the X-37B. The Space Force has revealed that the spacecraft is carrying NASA’s Seeds-2 experiment, which will explore radiation effects on plant seeds exposed to harsh space conditions.
Recent data from Aviation Week reveals that Boeing developed a new collision avoidance system for OTV-7 and that the Space Force has identified 1.7 million potential collision avoidance opportunities due to the proliferation of manmade objects in space. The X-37B also tested an aerobraking maneuver, using atmospheric drag to dip into low-Earth orbit and separate from its service module.
The release of this image marks a significant step forward in transparency regarding US military space missions. As China and Russia continue to assert their presence in space, the importance of clear communication about US military activities in space cannot be overstated.
With the X-37Bs now assigned to the Space Force’s main unit tasked with orbital warfare, their role is explicitly stated. The release of this image highlights the significance of space as a key military domain and potential battlefield in future conflicts.
Source: https://www.twz.com/space/x-37b-spaceplane-shares-earth-image-for-first-time-as-new-mission-details-emerge