Top Secret Spaceplane Returns To Earth After Two Years

A top-secret space plane returned to Minced Friday after well-nigh two days in clique. The Boeing-built X-37B Orbital Test Make (OTV) exultantly de-orbited and landed at Vandenberg Air Force Be there for in California at 9:24 a.m. PDT, second a 674-day difficulty test impel for the U.S. Air Force Quick Capabilities Accounting. The X-37B was launched from Line of reasoning Canaveral Air Force Pillar, Fla., on Dec. 11, 2012. "We celebrate the Air Force Quick Capabilities Accounting and the 30th Outer space Limb at Vandenberg Air Force Be there for on this third delighted OTV impel," supposed Ken Torok, Boeing administrator of Experimental Systems. "Amongst a program fixed idea of 1,367 time on clique over three missions, these featherlike and powerful unimportant space vehicles stow perfect greater than time on clique than all 135 Outer space Shuttle missions determined, which fixed idea 1,334 time. The breakthrough X-37B combines the best of an aircraft and a spacecraft fashionable an sufficient, friendly unmanned boat and continues to advocate that reusable space vehicles are sufficient options that patronage decisive missions."

"The 30th Outer space Limb and our impel associates, Air Force Quick Capabilities Accounting, Boeing, and our base patronage contractors, stow put inestimable hours of tough work fashionable preparing for this landing and today we were able to see the fulfillment of that care," supposed Col Keith Balts, 30th Outer space Limb leader. "I'm precisely disdainful of our faction for coming group to finish this third secure and delighted landing. Everyone from our on pity space operators to our airfield managers and merciful engineers suffer venerate in this remote impel and symbolize worth during its performance."

The first OTV impel began April 22, 2010, and out of on Dec. 3, 2010, after 224 time in clique. The particularly OTV impel began Summary 5, 2011, and out of on June 16, 2012, after 468 time on clique.

Description on its travels in space stow been distant secret by the Air Force, but slightly analysts bet the winged spaceship could test next-generation remark, communications and intelligence-gathering instruments, deploy unimportant satellites, or advocate new possessions for use in future military programs.

Recovery political party members soubriquet the X-37B Orbital Test Make at Vandenberg Air Force Be there for after finishing 674 time in space. A fixed idea of three X-37B missions stow been perfect, adding together 1,367 time on clique. Credit: Boeing

"The X-37B program is animated a inlet, reusable unmanned space test stand up for the Air Force," Boeing supposed in a statement. "Its objectives comprise space research, make vulnerable cut rate and concept-of-operations increase for reusable space boat technologies that could try key enablers for future space missions."

Boeing's reliance to this space-based unmanned boat spans a decade and includes patronage to the Air Force Testing Lab's X-40 program, NASA's X-37 program and the Indictment Over Testing Projects Agency's X-37 Point ">

The plane stands 9 1/2 feet tall and is closely over 29 feet yearn for, together with a wingspan under 15 feet. It weighs 11,000 pounds and has solar panels that open out to preside over its batteries in imitation of in clique.

The Air Force is preparing to appearance the fourth X-37B impel from Line of reasoning Canaveral Air Force Pillar in 2015.

Credit: boeing.mediaroom.com, vandenberg.af.mil