In a clandestine operation, the U.S. military launched its X-37B autonomous space plane into orbit on Thursday night, employing a more potent booster that could potentially propel the vehicle into a farther orbit than ever before, as reported by CNN.
This marks the seventh space voyage for the multi-purpose X-37B, a compact space shuttle look-alike, carrying classified experiments. The Pentagon continues to keep the objectives of each mission under wraps.
The launch was facilitated by SpaceX's Falcon Heavy booster, one of the world's most formidable rockets, which took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The Falcon Heavy's power could potentially place the X-37B in an orbit significantly more distant than those achieved in previous missions.
The Space Force, in a statement prior to the launch, mentioned that the tests include operating the reusable spaceplane in new orbital regimes, experimenting with future space domain awareness technologies, and investigating the radiation effects on materials provided by NASA. However, the Space Force did not reveal the planned duration of the mission.
Lt. Col. Joseph Fritschen, the X-37B Program Director, expressed his excitement about expanding the capabilities of the reusable X-37B. He mentioned the use of the flight-proven service module and Falcon Heavy rocket to fly multiple cutting-edge experiments for the Department of the Air Force and its partners.
Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, labeled the experiments as "groundbreaking." He stated that the X-37B continues to equip the United States with the knowledge to enhance current and future space operations. He further added that X-37B Mission 7 demonstrates the USSF's commitment to innovation and defining the art-of-the-possible in the space domain.
In the past, the X-37B has been launched using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket or the Atlas V, produced by a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The Falcon Heavy, however, produces more thrust than both the Falcon 9 and the Atlas V combined.
Paul Graziani, CEO of COMSPOC, a company that tracks objects in space, suggested to CNN that the X-37B could potentially reach the moon or even Mars this time. If that happens, it would pose a significant challenge for firms and amateur space watchers to track the plane's movements.
The U.S. military has the ability to hide the vehicle in the sun's glare or thwart tracking attempts by conducting frequent maneuvers, a capability the X-37B has demonstrated in the past.
The X-37B has previously conducted research that included experiments in relaying solar energy from space to earth and testing the effects of radiation on seeds.
The launch was live-streamed on SpaceX's website and X, formerly known as Twitter. The stream showed the side boosters detaching from the vehicle and safely landing back on earth.
The launch was delayed for more than two weeks due to technical issues, as reported by The Associated Press. Since the X-37B entered service in 2010, it has spent over 10 years in orbit and 2 1/2 years in space on its most recent mission.
Login