The enigmatic X-37B space plane from the U.S. Space Force is gearing up for its seventh mission, with the Space Force and SpaceX completing final preparations for a scheduled Sunday evening launch (Dec. 10).
The robotic X-37B will ride atop a Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with a 10-minute launch window opening at 8:14 p.m. If the launch is webcast by SpaceX.
The Space Force is known to have two X-37B vehicles, both constructed by Boeing.
Resembling NASA’s old space shuttle orbiters but on a smaller scale, both X-37Bs could fit within the payload bay of a single space shuttle, Space.com reported.
Having completed six missions to date, each surpassing the previous one in duration and ambition, the two X-37Bs are set for another remarkable venture.
The latest mission, OTV-6 (Orbital Test Vehicle-6), concluded in November 2022 after a 908-day orbit around Earth.
Written by B.C. Begley
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B.C. Begley 