The United States operates hundreds of classified military bases and installations in remote parts of the United States. Often they are located deep in the deserts of the American West or buffered by restricted property that is off limits to the general public. Paglen uses limit-telephotography to photograph these places that cannot be seen with the unaided eye. The final images are often blurry and sometimes appear abstract. Paglen's technique is astrophotography that astronomers use to photograph objects trillions of miles from Earth.

The Other Night Sky is a project developed by Paglen to track and photograph objects that do not naturally occur in space, such as satellites and other orbital debris. Paglen uses data produced by amateur satellite observers to calculate when and where these things will be visible in the night sky. Paglen uses telescopes, large-format cameras, and other imaging devices to document these anomalies in the night sky

For decades, the United States military has designed embroidered patches to symbolize and commemorate everything from unit affiliations and significant events, to secret missions and noteworthy programs. Paglen collects these patches, records their symbols and insignia, and asks: "How does one represent that which, by definition, must not be represented?" As a nod to the history of "mission patches," and as part of his totemic visual language of military culture, Paglen created a series of patches for Orbital Reflector.

What will be the artifacts and remnants of human civilization many thousands of years into the future? Paglen asks this question in a series of photographs that juxtapose ancient indigenous sites alongside images revealing remnant satellites in outer space. The jarring combination of ancient and future encourages viewers to consider what future civilizations will extrapolate from these artifacts about us once we no longer exist.

By photographing locations from which the American government’s covert intelligence agencies operate, Paglen illustrates his ongoing exploration of the culture of secrecy shrouding empowered institutions.

Paglen reveals sites of unknown activity in the United States, where covert military and intelligence agencies operate. This image of Sugar Grove Station, a National Security Agency in West Virginia, reveals the place where communication satellites detect and record all international communications and data entering the eastern United States

What images define human civilization and what would they reveal about us if they were discovered by long into the future? In 2012, Paglen worked with the public arts organization Creative Time and scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to develop a micro-etched disc containing his selection of one hundred photographs from across human history that Paglen calls "The Last Pictures.". The disc was encased in a gold-plated shell, designed to withstand the rigors of space and to last for billions of years. It was affixed to a massive communications satellite and launched into geosynchronous orbit, where it remains today. While working on this project, Paglen imagined designing and building his own satellite, which led to his proposal for Orbital Reflector.

The activities taking place beneath the ocean's surface are often unknown. Paglen photographs beautiful seascapes and displays them alongside collaged maritime maps showing the location of telecommunications networks and underwater cables. These seemingly-benign photographs reveal some of the National Security Agency's most controversial surveillance activities.