The US Air Force's secret weapon has just returned to Earth after 434 days

According to the US Air Force, the X-37B has spent more than 434 days in orbit, but the mission's primary purpose remains a mystery. This has led to much speculation about the X-37B's role, from military surveillance to rapid response.

The US Air Force's secret weapon has just returned to Earth after 434 days Picture 1

X-37B Mission 7 launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on December 28, 2023 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. During its time in a highly elliptical orbit, the aircraft performed 'a variety of test and experiment objectives'.

Late last year, the X-37B performed aerodynamic braking maneuvers, using the drag of Earth's atmosphere to change its trajectory with minimal fuel cost. The test also allowed the spacecraft to safely jettison its service module components. The Air Force said the X-37B conducted radiation effects experiments and tested space domain awareness technology, which is considered critical in an increasingly crowded and competitive space environment.

Measuring about 8.8 meters long, 2.9 meters tall, and with a wingspan of nearly 4.57 meters, the X-37B resembles a miniature space shuttle. It is powered by gallium arsenide-based solar cells and lithium-ion batteries, allowing it to remain in orbit for hundreds of days. Notably, the OTV-6 mission lasted 908 days.

The US Air Force's secret weapon has just returned to Earth after 434 days Picture 2

The role of the X-37B remains a secret to this day.

The X-37B has attracted public attention over the years due to the mysterious nature of the experiments it conducts. Is the X-37B a spy plane or a vehicle capable of delivering deadly weapons to any location in the world within minutes?

For his part, Lieutenant Colonel Blaine Stewart, program manager for the X-37B project, said the recent achievements opened an exciting new chapter for the space plane. 'When viewed together, they mark a significant milestone in the evolution of the US Air Force's mission capabilities,' he stressed.

Currently, information about the US Air Force's next plans for the OTV-8 has not been announced.

Lesley Montoya

Update 14 March 2025

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The US Air Force's secret weapon has just returned to Earth after 434 days

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