Prepping for its seventh mission, the United States military readies the enigmatic X-37B space plane for another orbital deployment.Launching Sunday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the X-37B, a mini space shuttle, debuts its SpaceX Falcon Heavy ride into orbit at 8:14 p.m. ET.Intriguing the space community for over a decade, the X-37B's mysterious activities in low Earth orbit continue to captivate. Despite unknown purpose and location, skywatchers sporadically spot and photograph the enigmatic space plane using telescopes.
Classified aspects of X-37B missions remain undisclosed by the U.S. Space Force, shrouding the robotic vehicle's orbital activities in secrecy.In the upcoming OTV-7 flight, the X-37B, conducting diverse tests, will explore space domain awareness technologies and examine radiation effects on NASA materials, as stated by the Space Force.
During its last 908-day mission, the X-37B launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, having previously used United Launch Alliance's Atlas V five times. The Falcon Heavy booster, notably more powerful, enables the X-37B to access "new orbital regimes," as highlighted by Space Force officials.
The duration of the X-37B's stay in space, as well as its ultimate orbit location and altitude, remains undisclosed.While the military maintains secrecy on such operations, the Space Force emphasizes that X-37B missions play a crucial role in ensuring safe and responsible operations for all space domain users.
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall stated, "The seventh flight of the X-37B showcases the United States Space Force's innovative spirit."Crafted by Boeing, the mini space plane, measuring approximately 29 feet in length, mirrors NASA's space shuttles. Designed for Earth return, it lands on a runway.
Embarking on its inaugural mission in 2010, the vehicle has amassed a total of 3,774 days in orbit across six flights.In past missions, Space Force officials noted that the X-37B's civilian science experiments encompassed trials of solar energy harnessing technology, power transmission to the ground, and assessments of how organic materials withstand prolonged exposure to space conditions.
