Space & Astronomy

Secretive X-37b space plane blasts off on another mystery mission

By T.K. Randall
December 29, 2023

Image Credit: United States Air Force Resembling a miniature version of NASA's now-retired space shuttles, this pint-sized robotic space plane was passed over to the US Department of Defense back in 2004 and has since embarked on a series of secretive orbital missions, sometimes spending over two years at a time in space.

Its last mission, which began in May 2020, ended in November 2022 after 900 days.

There had been plans to launch the X-37b again earlier this month, but a series of aborted countdowns due to bad weather saw that delayed until late on Thursday.

The flight marks the 7th mission for the enigmatic vehicle since its debut in 2010.

It isn't clear what it will actually be doing in space, but according to the air force rapid capabilities office, its mission will involve testing "new orbital regimes" and "experimenting with future space domain awareness technologies."Just like its Chinese counterpart (the Shenlong or 'Divine Dragon') which launched on its own secretive mission two weeks ago, it's not difficult to imagine that it will also be carrying out some sort of clandestine surveillance.

It may also be no coincidence that both vehicles have launched so close together.

"It's no surprise that the Chinese are extremely interested in our spaceplane," said Space Force General B Chance Saltzman.

"We're extremely interested in theirs."

"These are two of the most watched objects on orbit while they're on orbit. It's probably no coincidence that they're trying to match us in timing and sequence of this."


Source: The Guardian

Tags: X-37b