Latest news with #OTV-7
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Mysterious U.S. spaceplane returns to Earth, and Space Force snaps photos
The secretive exploits of the X-37B spaceplane continue. After spending 434 days in space, the crewless Space Force craft returned to Earth on March 7, landing at California's Vandenberg Space Force Base in the middle of the night. The agency snapped pictures of its return, including the image of a hazmat suit-clad crew attending to the outer space craft. "The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle-7 (OTV-7), the U.S. Space Force's dynamic unmanned spaceplane, successfully deorbited and landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on Mar. 7, 2025 at 02:22 a.m. EST," the U.S. Space Force posted on X. SEE ALSO: Aliens haven't contacted us. Scientists found a compelling reason why. This was the seventh mission of the X-37B, which orbits 150 to 500 miles above Earth to explore reusable space vehicle technologies and conduct long-term space experiments. The plane was originally built by Boeing for NASA, but the project transferred to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, in 2004. At nearly 30 feet long, it's one-fourth the size of NASA's retired Space Shuttle. Technicians standing near the recently landed X-37B spaceplane. Credit: U.S. Space Force The slightly charred X-37B spaceplane after landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Credit: U.S. Space Force The spaceplane's most recent national security-related mission launched in December 2023, and it accomplished a new feat. The Space Force recently revealed on X that the spaceplane "executed a series of first-of-kind maneuvers, called aerobraking, to safely change its orbit using minimal fuel." "Aerobraking" involves using close passes by Earth's atmosphere to produce drag, ultimately allowing it to switch orbits without burning too much of its finite fuel. When not aerobraking, it appears the spaceplane kept busy with reconnaissance-related activity. "While in orbit, Mission 7 tested space domain awareness technology experiments that aim to improve the United States Space Force's knowledge of the space environment," the Space Force said in a statement. "These technologies are critical to the U.S. Space Force's ability to conduct space operations in an increasingly congested and contested environment of space, to the benefit of all users of the domain." Spaceplanes, too, must contend with the amassing spacecraft and space junk in Earth's orbit.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Secretive US Space Force X-37B space plane 'breaks new ground' as it returns to Earth after 434 days in orbit (photos)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The U.S. Space Force's robotic space plane X-37B returned to Earth has returned to Earth after spending more than 434 days in orbit on a classified mission. This was the seventh mission for the X-37B space plane, officially designated X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle-7 (OTV-7), which landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, today (March 7). Touchdown occurred at 2:22 a.m. EST (0722 GMT). During the mission, the Boeing-built X-37B performed a novel "aerobraking maneuver" that demonstrated its robust maneuver capability. In the aerobraking maneuver, X-37B used the drag caused by Earth's atmosphere to change its orbit more efficiently. "Mission 7 broke new ground by showcasing the X-37B's ability to flexibly accomplish its test and experimentation objectives across orbital regimes,' Chief of Space Operations Chance Saltzman said in a statement from Space Force. "The successful execution of the aerobraking maneuver underscores the U.S. Space Force's commitment to pushing the bounds of novel space operations in a safe and responsible manner." Related: Space Force's secretive X-37B space plane: 10 surprising facts It wasn't just the flexibility of X-37B in the air that was under scrutiny during this mission. This was the first time that the space plane had launched atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket to a highly elliptical (flattened) orbit. From there, the plane conducted what Space Force describes as "space domain awareness technology experiments that aim to improve the United States Space Force's knowledge of the space environment." SpaceX launched the X-37B OTV-7 mission on Dec. 28, 2023. The aerobraking maneuver was used to take X-37B from the highly elliptical orbit to a low Earth orbit while conserving fuel. After conducting further experiments, the plane deorbited and returned to Earth. Related Stories: — Space Force's mysterious X-37B begins 'aerobraking' to lower orbit. Here's how it works (video) — Space Force's secretive X-37B space plane soars past 1 year in orbit — SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launches mysterious X-37B space plane for US Space Force after delays "Mission 7's operation in a new orbital regime, its novel aerobraking maneuver, and its testing of space domain awareness experiments have written an exciting new chapter in the X-37B program," X-37B Program Director Blaine Stewart said. "Considered together, they mark a significant milestone in the ongoing development of the U.S. Space Force's dynamic mission capability." Despite it's long 434-day mission, the X-37B's OTV-7 flight wasn't the longest flight for the robotic space plane. That record was set during the OTV-6 mission, which spent 908 days in orbit between May 2020 and November 2022. In fact, every X-37B flight since 2011 has spent a longer time in space than OTV-7, with only the first flight — the 224-day OTV-1 mission — spending less time in orbit. The U.S. Space Force currently has two X-37B space planes to fly those autonomous space missions.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
X-37B Returns To Earth, Space Force Won't Commit To Buying More
After 434 days, the U.S. Space Force's secretive X-37B mini-shuttle has completed its seventh mission, returning to Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, at 2:22 a.m. EST today. The Orbital Test Vehicle-7 (OTV-7) mission was the first launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket — meaning that the X-37B could be placed in a much higher orbit than on previous missions, as TWZ previously explored. OTV-7 was also the first mission to use a highly elliptical orbit. At this point, however, the Space Force has said it won't buy any more X-37Bs beyond the two now in use. OTV-7 was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on December 28, 2023. 'While on orbit, Mission 7 accomplished a range of test and experimentation objectives intended to demonstrate the X-37B's robust maneuver capability while helping characterize the space domain through the testing of space domain awareness technology experiments,' the Space Force said. The Space Force released few details of what the X-37B got up to on its latest mission, which is very much in keeping with the level of classification that surrounds the program. However, OTV-7 included operating the reusable spaceplane 'in new orbital regimes.' As such, the mission took the X-37B beyond the so-called geostationary orbit (GEO) belt around the Earth, as you can read more about here. Orbits that take spacecraft beyond the GEO belt — which is defined as being around 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above sea level — are categorized as high-Earth orbits (HEO). As previously noted, OTV-7 involved taking the X-37B for the first time on a highly elliptical orbit (confusingly, also known as HEO). The egg-shaped HEO trajectory allows the spaceplane to maneuver itself once it's close enough to the atmosphere. This is especially advantageous when it comes to keeping potential adversaries guessing as to where the X-37B is since the spaceplane can reappear unexpectedly in orbit. 'We know that that drives them nuts, and I'm really glad about that,' former Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said back in 2019 in reference to the HEO trajectory. In its statement today, the Space Force referred to the importance of the series of aerobraking maneuvers, used for the first time, which 'demonstrated the agile and flexible capabilities the X-37B provides.' Specifically, aerobraking is used to change the orbit of the spaceplane while expending minimal fuel. Aerobraking involves the spaceplane using the drag of the atmosphere, over the course of multiple passes, to dip into low-Earth orbit (LEO), during which it can separate from its service module. 'Mission 7 broke new ground by showcasing the X-37B's ability to flexibly accomplish its test and experimentation objectives across orbital regimes. The successful execution of the aerobraking maneuver underscores the U.S. Space Force's commitment to pushing the bounds of novel space operations in a safe and responsible manner,' said Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman In a recent interview with Aviation Week, Saltzman also confirmed that the aerobraking maneuver was used to evaluate the Space Force's Space Surveillance Network, a collection of optical and radar sensors used to detect, track, identify, and catalog all human-made objects in orbit. The Space Force's statement today also referred to the fact that Mission 7 included 'space domain awareness technology experiments that aim to improve the United States Space Force's knowledge of the space environment.' FALCON HEAVY TRANSITS THE MOON: Tonight's launch of the USSF-52 mission with seventh mission of the Space Force's X-37B spaceplane. — John Kraus (@johnkrausphotos) December 29, 2023 As is typical for these missions, no further details were provided, although these experiments appear to tie in with the Space Force's broader effort to locate and identify objects in distant orbits, as well as maneuver close to them in order to inspect them or assess their capabilities. The service's Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program, or GSSAP, is intended to achieve just this, and you can read more about it here. 'These technologies are critical to the U.S. Space Force's ability to conduct space operations in an increasingly congested and contested environment of space, to the benefit of all users of the domain,' the service added, in reference to space domain awareness experiments. Other features of OTV-7 include the first release of a photo of Earth taken by an X-37B. In fact, this was likely the first in-orbit shot from the craft of any kind to be officially released by the Pentagon. The image of Earth was taken 'while conducting experiments in a highly elliptical orbit,' and the camera itself is primarily used to 'ensure the health and safety of the vehicle,' the Space Force said. You can read more about it here. At the Air & Space Forces Association's 2025 Warfare Symposium this week, the Space Force told TWZ: 'Any future plans to build additional platforms beyond the two existing test vehicles will be evaluated based upon the nation's need.' The Space Force has also said it has no plans to use the X-37B as an operational vehicle, but the various experiments it has been carrying out will feed into any potential future U.S. spaceplane designs. At the same time, the current two-ship X-37B fleet will also provide a better understanding of how adversaries could use similar systems. In particular, China has been busy testing a spaceplane, named Shenlong (meaning Divine Dragon), which is thought to be broadly comparable to the X-37B. In the meantime, the X-37B has continued to conduct its highly classified missions, with the high level of classification fueling speculation about its potential use as space-based intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR) or weapons platform. What we know for sure is that the X-37Bs are assigned to the Space Force's main unit tasked with 'orbital warfare,' meaning they have an explicit military role. Notably, the X-37B that returned to Vandenberg today was wearing U.S. Space Force markings, rather than those of the U.S. Air Force, which had been applied during the previous OTV-6 mission. This change may well also reflect a growing effort to communicate to the public about the importance of space to military operations (and daily life) and potential threats outside of the Earth's atmosphere, as well as what the U.S. government is doing about those issues. Nevertheless, there is much more that we don't know about the X-37B than has been revealed to the public. The OTV-7 mission accomplishments are already being praised in terms of milestones in a new orbital regime, the novel aerobraking maneuver, and the testing of space domain awareness experiments. Certainly, however, there are many more significant achievements from OTV-7 that will remain under a veil of secrecy. Contact the author: thomas@
CBS News
07-03-2025
- Science
- CBS News
U.S. spaceplane deorbits after classified mission and lands in California
An unmanned spaceplane sent into Earth's orbit in late 2023 returned on Friday, landing at California's Vandenberg Space Force Base overnight, the U.S. Space Force said on Friday. The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle-7 was launched into space by SpaceX's Falcon Heavy for a classified, long-duration military mission for the U.S. Space Force on Dec. 29, 2023, CBS News previously reported. It was in high Earth orbit, or about 20,000 miles above the planet's surface, for 434 days. The test vehicle had no crew. The U.S. Space Force said in a news release that the craft had "accomplished a range of test and experimentation objectives intended to demonstrate the X-37B's robust maneuver capability while helping characterize the space domain through the testing of space domain awareness technology experiments" while in orbit. One of those objectives included testing a new process called aerobraking, which saw the craft safely change orbit while using minimal fuel, the Space Force said on social media last month. An X-37B onboard camera, used to ensure the health and safety of the vehicle, captures an image of Earth while conducting experiments in HEO in X-37B executed a series of first-of-kind maneuvers, called aerobraking, to safely change its orbit using minimal fuel. — United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) February 21, 2025 Another set of experiments tested "space domain awareness technology," which helped improve the Space Force's knowledge of the space environment, according to the news release. With space an "increasingly congested and contested environment," knowledge of surrounding environments is "to the benefit of all users," the Space Force said. The craft landed successfully at Vandenberg Space Force Base at 2:22 a.m. ET, or 11:22 p.m. local time. The landing tested the craft's ability to recover across multiple sites, the Space Force said. Photos shared online show the vehicle on the ground at the base, with Space Force members standing nearby. The base has a three-mile long runway specifically built for B-37 craft, CBS News previously reported. The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle-7 (OTV-7), the U.S. Space Force's dynamic unmanned spaceplane, successfully deorbited and landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on Mar. 7, 2025 at 02:22 a.m. EST. #X37B #USSF — United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) March 7, 2025 X-37B program director Lt. Col. Blaine Stewart said the craft's successful operations "have written an exciting new chapter" and mark a "significant milestone in the ongoing development of the U.S. Space Force's dynamic mission capability." The Space Force has access to two X-37B craft. The crafts, built by Boeing, are designed to help test avionics and advanced sensors, evaluate reusable spacecraft components and provide a platform for experiments that can be analyzed on Earth. The space planes feature delta wings, heat shield tiles and a compat payload bay, and are powered by an extendable solar array that allows for extremely long flights.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Space Force reveals image snapped by top secret space plane for first time
For the first time, we're seeing an image from the record-breaking U.S. military space plane while in Earth orbit. Over the weekend, the U.S. Space Force shared a photo taken by the spacecraft X-37B during its most recent secret mission. It's the first operational image shared while the space plane is in orbit. The image shows part of the space plane, the blue marble of Earth and the darkness of space. "An X-37B onboard camera, used to ensure the health and safety of the vehicle, captures an image of Earth while conducting experiments in HEO in 2024," the U.S. Space Force wrote on X. "The X-37B executed a series of first-of-kind maneuvers, called aerobraking, to safely change its orbit using minimal fuel." The space plane is an orbital test platform for different experimentation missions, some of which are classified. Its seventh mission, known as OTV-7, was launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket in 2023 and included both unclassified and classified experiments. Throughout its 15 years in operation, X-37B has set new records for time in orbit with each flight. According to the space plane manufacturer Boeing, X-37B spent 908 days in orbit during its last mission, setting a new endurance record. Prior to the most recent mission, the space plane was in orbit for 780 days before returning to Earth in October 2019. The space plane lands on the former space shuttle runway, now called the Launch and Landing Facility at Nasa's Kennedy Space Center. The exact moment the space plane lands is confidential, but residents along Florida's Space Coast will know when it's back because of the sound of sonic booms when it article source: Space Force reveals image snapped by top secret space plane for first time
