By Marcia Dunn, AP Aerospace Writer
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The U.S. military’s mini space shuttle, the X-37B, has returned to Earth after an impressive 434 days in orbit. This mission started back in December 2023 when the shuttle launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX rocket. Unlike traditional crewed spacecraft, the X-37B is uncrewed and focuses on testing military-related experiments.
The shuttle landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California during the early morning hours, but officials kept the landing under wraps until later that day. Images released later showed the shuttle parked quietly on the runway.
This marks the seventh mission for the X-37B, and military leaders are calling it a success. They noted that the mission demonstrated innovative capabilities, such as changing orbits by using atmospheric drag to reduce speed, which helps conserve fuel.
Program director Lt. Col. Blaine Stewart expressed enthusiasm about the mission, stating it opens “an exciting new chapter in the X-37B program.”
The X-37B first flew in 2010. These Boeing-built space planes are reusable and have spent time in orbit ranging from days to over two years. Each shuttle is about 29 feet long, with a wingspan of nearly 15 feet.
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