Feb 22, 2025 15:48 pm IST Published On A camera onboard the secret X-37B space plane capturing Earth's picture. The United States Space Force (USSF) on Friday (Feb 21) released the first photograph of its top-secret X-37B space plane in orbit, much to the amusement of social media users. The photo was taken by a camera onboard the space plane while orbiting high above the African continent. The vehicle has been in orbit for over a year now, having jetted off for its seventh mission on December 28, 2023, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. Though the photo contains vague details about the vehicle and what experiments it was performing, it is the first time that the Space Force has released an image of the clandestine plane in orbit. "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," read the post by USSF. "The X-37B executed a series of first-of-kind maneuvers, called aerobraking, to safely change its orbit using minimal fuel." 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. pic.twitter.com/ccisgl493P