![]() ![]() Prior to the most recent mission, the space plane was in orbit for 780 days before returning to Earth in October 2019. The addition of the service module on OTV-6 allowed us to host more experiments than ever before."Īccording to Boeing, X-37B spent 908 days in orbit setting a new endurance record. View the launch schedule for rocket launches around. "The ability to conduct on-orbit experiments and bring them home safely for in-depth analysis on the ground has proven valuable for the Department of the Air Force and scientific community. Space enthusiasts can quickly get a list of upcoming rocket launches. "The X-37B continues to push the boundaries of experimentation, enabled by an elite government and industry team behind the scenes," X-37B Program Director Lt. Department of the Air Force photo)Īccording to Boeing, X-37B was originally designed to fly 270 days each mission, but with each flight, the spacecraft has set new records for time in orbit. The X-37B spaceplane is a reliable, reusable, uncrewed space test platform designed to carry experiments to orbit and return them to Earth for evaluation. Air Force and Space Force confirm, the best sign of a successful return home for the secret space plane is the double sonic booms as it reenters Earth's atmosphere, which is what many in Florida heard on Saturday morning. The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was closed early Saturday due to operations at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, including roads leading into the refuge which neighbors Kennedy Space Center. ![]() However, there are hints of X-37B's arrival ahead of time. Just like its mission, information on the landing of the spaceplane is also kept confidential. The rest of the spacecraft's mission was top secret.Īccording to the Space Force, the vehicle touched down on Saturday at 5:22 a.m., completing its sixth mission. Air Force Academy's FalconSat-8, which remains in orbit. USSF-7 also included research for the U.S. The mission called USSF-7 included several experimental payloads for NASA, including an investigation on the effects of long-duration space exposure to seeds. ![]()
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