At 5:22 AM Eastern Time on November 12, the Space Forces (and Air Forces) X-37B spaceplane landed back on Earth after 2 and a half years in orbit. The deceptive spaceplane has now performed 6 objectives, and the latest, OTV-6, was the longest flight. Information about the X-37Bs function are scarce, though it is clear that the vehicle is designed to function as a testbed for innovative spaceflight capabilities. Heres what we understand about the newest mission.
The X-37B, which looks superficially like NASAs retired area shuttle, however is uncrewed and much smaller sized– it fits inside the fairing of an Atlas V or Falcon 9– stayed in orbit for a record-breaking 908 days. The module broadened the spacecrafts capacity for clinical experimentation, according to Joseph Fritschen, the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Offices X-37B Program Director.
” The addition of the service module on OTV-6 allowed us to host more experiments than ever in the past,” he stated.
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At 5:22 AM Eastern Time on November 12, the Space Forces (and Air Forces) X-37B spaceplane landed back on Earth after two and a half years in orbit. The X-37B, which looks superficially like NASAs retired area shuttle bus, however is much and uncrewed smaller– it fits inside the fairing of an Atlas V or Falcon 9– stayed in orbit for a record-breaking 908 days. The module expanded the spacecrafts capability for scientific experimentation, according to Joseph Fritschen, the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Offices X-37B Program Director.
Credit: Staff Sgt. Adam Shanks, Space Force.
Virgin Galactics suborbital VSS Unity spacecraft flew founder Richard Branson to area in 2021, and Sierra Nevada is establishing a spaceplane called Dream Chaser, created to bring freight to and from the International Space Station as early as 2023.
In a news release on Friday, Space Force shared a new picture of the previously hidden service module, taken prior to launch in 2020. The module was ejected from the spacecraft before re-entry and is still in orbit, but Space Force was keen to emphasize that it will become dealt with securely, in an effort to guarantee the responsible prevention of unneeded space junk.
The X-37B prior to launch in May 2020. The white, ring-shaped service module is seen at the base of the spacecraft. Credit: Staff Sgt. Adam Shanks, Space Force.
Of the experiments on board OTV-6, two were NASA-led projects, and are therefore not categorized. The first of these was a test created to see how different products respond to conditions in space, while the 2nd studied the effects of area radiation on seeds.
The Naval Research Laboratory included a mission on board as well, testing the conversion of solar energy to microwave energy, and retransmitting that energy back to Earth.
In October 2021, the mission also released an Air Force satellite called FalconSat-8, which had 5 experiments on board: An electromagnetic propulsion system, a speculative low-weight antenna, a star tracker, a carbon nanotube radio frequency experiment, and an industrial reaction wheel for attitude control. FalconSat-8 is still in orbit.
The X-37B on the runway after landing on November 12th, 2022. Credit: Staff Sgt. Adam Shanks, Space Force.
The X-37B has the capability to perform orbital maneuvers, and has in the previous launched undefined payloads into orbit. As far as a lot of observers can tell, it is mainly an experimental testbed for brand-new outer space capabilities.
The X-37B isnt the just secret spaceplane in the game. Virgin Galactics suborbital VSS Unity spacecraft flew creator Richard Branson to space in 2021, and Sierra Nevada is developing a spaceplane called Dream Chaser, designed to carry cargo to and from the International Space Station as early as 2023.
When it comes to what the X-37B will do next: well, there isnt much forthcoming from Space Force. Well need to see and wait.
Space Force Press Release: “X-37B orbital test vehicle concludes 6th effective objective.”
Featured Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Adam Shanks, Space Force.
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