The US Space Force has released a rare image captured by the X-37B space plane during its seventh mission, which began in December 2023. The photo shows Earth in the background along with a portion of the spacecraft.
This mission follows the previous flight that set a record for endurance, remaining in orbit for 908 days until its completion in 2022.
Details about the current mission remain limited, but the Space Force confirmed that the X-37B is testing a new maneuver known as aerobraking. This technique allows the spacecraft to change its orbit more efficiently by using the drag of Earth’s atmosphere.
In October, the Space Force announced that the X-37B had started this process, and the latest reports indicate that it has successfully executed these maneuvers, optimizing fuel use during its operations.
The duration of this mission is still uncertain, but the ongoing activities of the X-37B continue to intrigue those interested in space exploration.
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