SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Rocket Set to Launch U.S. Space Force’s X-37B Space Plane
SpaceX is gearing up for another launch of its powerful Falcon Heavy rocket before the end of the year. The aerospace manufacturer is targeting December 28 for the launch of the U.S. Space Force’s X-37B space plane, which will fly atop a Falcon Heavy from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Originally planned for December 11, the launch was postponed due to an issue with ground equipment. If all goes according to plan, the upcoming launch will mark the seventh overall for the 29-foot-long X-37B, which military officials say serves as an orbital testbed for new space technology.
Details about the X-37B mission are classified, making it unclear how long the spacecraft will stay in orbit. However, past missions have shown a trend of increasing duration, with the most recent flight lasting 908 days before returning home in November 2022.
The Falcon Heavy rocket, known for its impressive power, has launched eight times to date, including four times in 2023. Its most recent flight in October saw the launch of NASA’s Psyche probe toward the asteroid belt.
SpaceX will provide a live stream of the upcoming launch, allowing viewers to witness the action on the Space.com website. As the year draws to a close, space enthusiasts and industry professionals alike will have their eyes on the skies to witness the next chapter of space exploration.