Share this @internewscast.com

The United States military is preparing to launch its secretive X-37B space plane on a seventh mission in orbit.

The uncrewed vehicle, which resembles a miniature space shuttle, is slated to lift off Sunday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida during a 10-minute launch window that opens at 8:14 p.m. ET. For the first time, the X-37B will ride into orbit atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

Since its debut more than a decade ago, the X-37B has been a source of intrigue within the space community, mostly owing to the mysterious nature of its activities in low Earth orbit. Despite not knowing its true purpose or location, skywatchers have occasionally spotted and photographed the space plane in the night sky using telescopes.

The U.S. Space Force typically does not disclose the classified aspects of X-37B missions. As such, little is known about the types of activities the robotic vehicle carries out in orbit.

For this upcoming flight, dubbed OTV-7, the X-37B will conduct various tests, including “experimenting with space domain awareness technologies and investigating the radiation effects to NASA materials,” according to the Space Force.

On the X-37B’s last mission, which spanned 908 days in orbit, the space plane lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Before that, the vehicle rode to space five times on United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rockets. The Falcon Heavy booster is significantly more powerful than both, allowing the X-37B to operate in “new orbital regimes,” Space Force officials said in a statement.

It’s not known how long the X-37B will remain in space, or where and at what altitude it will ultimately orbit.

The military is tight-lipped about such operations, but the Space Force said the X-37B missions “are key to ensuring safe and responsible operations in space for all users of the space domain.”

“This seventh flight of the X-37B continues to demonstrate the innovative spirit of the United States Space Force,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said in a statement.

The mini space plane was built by Boeing and measures about 29 feet long. Like NASA’s space shuttles, the X-37B is designed to return to Earth and land on a runway.

The vehicle launched on its first mission in 2010 and has since logged 3,774 days in orbit over six flights.

On previous outings, Space Force officials said the X-37B’s civilian science experiments included tests of technology to harness solar energy and transmit power to the ground, as well as experiments on how organic materials fare when exposed to the environment of space for long periods of time.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Emergency landing ends in tragedy as plane crashes on New Mexico golf course

Tragic Plane Crash on New Mexico Golf Course Following Emergency Landing Attempt

Tragedy struck on Friday morning when a small plane crashed onto the…
Sherrone Moore latest news: Fired Michigan football coach reaches plea deal to resolve home invasion case after staffer affair

Breaking: Ex-Michigan Coach Sherrone Moore Strikes Plea Deal in High-Profile Home Invasion Scandal

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In a significant turn of events, former Michigan…
Pro- and anti-Khamenei protesters clash at Washington Square Park, multiple arrests made

Tensions Flare as Pro-Khamenei and Opposition Protesters Confront Each Other at Washington Square Park; Arrests Follow

A tense encounter erupted at Washington Square Park on Friday, leading to…
California official calling on Trump administration to return deaf Bay Area boy, his family deported to Colombia

California Official Demands Trump Administration Reunite Deaf Bay Area Boy with Family Deported to Colombia

In a dramatic turn of events unfolding in San Francisco, California State…
Nancy Guthrie neighbors asked about Internet glitches on night she went missing: report

Unraveling the Mystery: Internet Outages Linked to Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance

Authorities are reportedly questioning neighbors of Nancy Guthrie about potential Internet disruptions…
Asif Merchant convicted in US political assassination plot he tied to Iranian paramilitary

US Court Convicts Asif Merchant in Political Assassination Scheme Linked to Iranian Forces

NEW YORK — A Pakistani entrepreneur was found guilty on Friday for…
Suspect in Utah killings of 3 women was free on Iowa burglary and other charges

Utah Tragedy: Suspect in Triple Homicide Previously Released on Iowa Charges

Ivan Miller, a 22-year-old, stands accused of murdering three women in Utah,…
Haunting note on Vegas hotel door hinted at tragedy before cheer mom, daughter found dead

Eerie Note Discovered on Las Vegas Hotel Door Precedes Tragic Discovery of Cheer Mom and Daughter’s Deaths

In a tragic turn of events, dispatch records recently released have shed…
Israel pounds Hezbollah targets, daring Lebanon to reclaim sovereignty from Iran-backed terror proxy

Israel Strikes Hezbollah Positions, Challenging Lebanon to Assert Sovereignty Over Iran-Backed Group

In the midst of escalating tensions with Iran, experts suggest the Trump…
Why John Harbaugh’s Giants restoration probably won’t happen overnight

Why John Harbaugh’s Giants Revamp Needs Time: Unpacking the Challenges

The New England Patriots, crowned AFC Champions, are inspiring the New York…
Kurdish fighters watch for opening to strike Iran as Trump voices support

Kurdish Forces Poised to Act Against Iran Amidst Trump’s Backing

FIRST ON FOX: As tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran escalate,…
Camp Lev brings joy to Columbia Children's Hospital girls waiting for transplants

Camp Lev Delivers Smiles to Young Patients Awaiting Transplants at Columbia Children’s Hospital

In a heartfelt initiative, two hospital rooms on the Upper West Side…