X-37B space plane takes off on mystery mission, testing new tech

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FLORIDA, Dec 9: After the Sunday night launch of the Space Force’s robotic X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, questions arise about the nature of its classified payloads and the objectives of its undisclosed missions in space. The uncrewed military space plane, with dimensions resembling a miniature space shuttle, will orbit 150 to 500 miles above the Earth’s surface for an extended period, aiming to collect valuable data on sensor performance and radiation resilience.

Directed by the Florida Institute of Technology’s Spaceport Graduate Center, Don Platt explains that the X-37B serves as a test platform for new technology. Unlike traditional satellite launches, this space plane allows for in-orbit testing of sensors within its cargo bay. The advantage lies in retrieving the equipment for further analysis on Earth, providing insights into technology performance and radiation endurance in the space environment.

The upcoming launch, facilitated by a triple-core SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, is set to take place at 8:14 p.m. EST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The mission, the seventh for the X-37B, underscores its role as a crucial tool for testing and advancing technology in space. The exact nature of its experiments remains undisclosed, maintaining a level of secrecy characteristic of military space endeavors.

While the X-37B’s mission duration is expected to exceed a year, the specifics depend on the testing requirements. SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket will lift the space plane into orbit, with booster landings anticipated at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch window is set for 10 minutes, and live coverage will be available at floridatoday.com/space.

Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, commanding Space Launch Delta 45, expressed confidence in the preparation for this critical launch, emphasizing the team’s dedication to enhancing launch capabilities to meet national security needs.

The mission’s experiments, according to a Nov. 8 press release, include operating the reusable space plane in new orbital regimes, experimenting with space domain awareness technologies, and studying the effects of radiation on plant seeds for future long-duration crewed space missions.

The X-37B, with its ability to stay in orbit for extended periods, marks a significant advancement in space technology. As space exploration evolves, the autonomous and robotic capabilities of the X-37B exemplify the progress in conducting space experiments without human presence, reminiscent of the early days of top-secret shuttle missions.

The previous launch of the X-37B in May 2020 saw it spending a record 908 days in low-Earth orbit before safely returning to Earth. The upcoming mission aims to continue pushing the boundaries of technology testing in space, utilizing the unique advantages offered by the X-37B’s design.

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