Secretive Space Plane to Test Quantum Navigation in Upcoming Launch
▼ Summary
– The US Space Force will launch its secretive X-37B space plane on its eighth mission no earlier than August 21 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
– The X-37B fleet consists of two uncrewed Boeing-built vehicles, each about 29 feet long, with the first vehicle likely launching next month.
– Previous X-37B missions have set long-duration records, with one lasting 908 days from 2020 to 2022 and another 434 days ending in March 2023.
– The upcoming mission, OTV-8, will include a service module to expand experiment capacity for the Air Force Research Laboratory and Defense Innovation Unit.
– While most X-37B missions have been classified, the Space Force has provided slightly more detail about this flight’s experimental payloads.
The X-37B space plane, operated by the US Space Force, is gearing up for its eighth mission, set to launch as early as August 21 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This uncrewed, reusable spacecraft, resembling a miniature version of NASA’s retired Space Shuttle, will ride into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, continuing its legacy of classified yet groundbreaking missions.
Built by Boeing, the X-37B fleet consists of two vehicles, each measuring roughly 29 feet (9 meters) long, about a quarter the size of the original Shuttle. The first of these autonomous spacecraft debuted in 2010, and subsequent missions have progressively extended their time in orbit. The most recent flight concluded in March 2023 after 434 days, while the previous mission set a record with an astonishing 908-day stay in space.
Unlike past launches shrouded in secrecy, this upcoming mission, designated OTV-8, offers a rare glimpse into its objectives. The Space Force revealed that the spacecraft will carry an attached service module, significantly boosting its experimental capacity. Among the payloads are projects from the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Defense Innovation Unit, though specifics remain under wraps.
While the X-37B’s primary role remains classified, its ability to test cutting-edge technologies in prolonged spaceflight makes it a critical asset. The inclusion of advanced experiments suggests this mission could push boundaries in quantum navigation, materials science, or satellite resilience, topics of growing importance in modern space operations.
As anticipation builds for the launch, aerospace experts and enthusiasts alike will be watching closely, eager to decode what secrets this enigmatic space plane might unveil next.
(Source: Ars Technica)
