KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Florida. The U.S. military’s secretive X-37B space plane lifted off on Thursday, launching into another enigmatic mission projected to extend over the course of several years.
The miniaturized space shuttle, reminiscent of NASA’s retired shuttles but only a quarter of their size at 29 feet (9 meters) in length, soared into the skies aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket from the renowned NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Delays of more than two weeks were encountered due to technical glitches, underscoring the intricacies of the highly classified mission.
This marks the seventh mission for the X-37B, a reusable unmanned vehicle that has been orbiting since its maiden voyage in 2010, accumulating over 10 years in space. Crafted by Boeing, the X-37B carries out its operations without the need for human presence, utilizing an autonomous landing system.
The classified payload on board comprises experiments shrouded in secrecy, continuing the tradition of previous missions. Officials from the newly established U.S. Space Force remained tight-lipped about the details, declining to disclose the duration of the current orbital test or specifics of the onboard experiments, except for a NASA initiative aimed at assessing the impact of radiation on materials.
Unlike traditional spacecraft, the X-37B takes off vertically, akin to a rocket, but lands horizontally, resembling an airplane. The dual-capable vehicle is designed to orbit at altitudes ranging from 150 miles to 500 miles (240 kilometers to 800 kilometers) above Earth’s surface.
Within a former space shuttle hangar at Kennedy Space Center, two X-37Bs are stationed, prepared for their clandestine missions. The secretive nature of these operations has led to widespread speculation about the true objectives of the X-37B program, with experts and enthusiasts alike eagerly awaiting morsels of information regarding the purpose and outcomes of this latest mission.
As the X-37B disappears into the vastness of space, the duration and nature of its mission remain veiled in secrecy, leaving the world to ponder the mysteries that unfold above.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
