The U.S. military’s X-37B space plane has embarked on another secretive mission that is anticipated to last for at least a couple of years. The spacecraft, resembling a mini space shuttle, was launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, December 28, 2023. The launch had been delayed by more than two weeks due to technical issues, but the mission is now underway.
As with previous missions, the X-37B will be carrying classified experiments and will operate as an unmanned mission. The mission, conducted by the U.S. Space Force under the National Security Space Launch program, will conduct tests in new orbital regimes and space domain awareness technologies.
This launch represented a significant milestone as it marked the first time the X-37B was carried by the more powerful Falcon Heavy rocket, potentially allowing for higher orbital flights than its usual low-Earth orbit. The spacecraft is designed for long-duration orbital flights to carry various payloads and technology experiments, and is capable of autonomously landing on a runway like an airplane following its mission completion.
While the duration of the current mission has not been disclosed, it is expected to follow the pattern of successively longer flights, possibly extending until June 2026 or later. The previous mission lasted over two years, setting a record for the program.
Coinciding closely with the X-37B’s launch was China’s Shenlong space plane’s third mission since 2020. The Shenlong, also a secretive project, is believed to be limited to low-Earth orbit deliveries. The concurrent timing of these missions has been noted as a reflection of the growing space rivalry between the U.S. and China, with both nations showing a keen interest in each other’s spaceplane technologies.
These missions showcase significant advancements in reusable space technologies and highlight the strategic importance of space in both national security and scientific research domains.