The US military space plane X-37B successfully completed its secret mission and returned to Earth on the night of March 7, 2025 after 434 days in orbit.
This was announced by the US Space Force.
The reusable unmanned vehicle was launched on December 29, 2023 from Vandenberg Air Force Base using a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. During its mission, it conducted a series of experiments, including studying the effects of cosmic radiation and testing technologies for detecting objects in orbit.
Although details of the mission remain classified, representatives of the US Space Force said that the X-37B tested new methods of orbital maneuvers and aerodynamic braking, which will allow it to more efficiently reduce orbit with minimal fuel consumption.
Developed by Boeing as part of the NASA program, the X-37B was transferred to the US military in 2004. Its design allows for launch using a booster rocket, and the return is carried out according to the aviation principle - the plane lands on the runway like a regular airliner.
Over the years of operation, the X-37B has already set several records for the duration of its stay in space, and its longest mission lasted 909 days. The program continues to develop, expanding the capabilities of reusable spacecraft and opening up prospects for future research in low Earth orbit and deep space.
As a reminder, the test flight of the Starship rocket of Elon Musk's SpaceX company ended in failure: the rocket fell apart.
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