The mysterious X-37B spacecraft has finally returned back to Earth following a 'successful' 434-day-long mission, having completed top secret experiments and tests while orbiting around Earth.
Space ships are often headline-stealing events as their launches are a marvel to look at, yet this particular craft's purpose is to go unnoticed and carry out top secret experiments on its travels in outer space.
Following on from spy planes like the Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady, the X-37B is an unmanned experimental plane in the service of the United States Space Force (USSF) that's operations remain behind closed doors.
Only recently were breathtaking images released of both the X-37B and a far-away Earth causing many to recoil in shock at the staggering nature of it's existence.
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As reported by Fox News, X-37B launched for it's seventh mission back in 2023 with the assistance of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy Rocket to a Highly Elliptical Orbit.
It remained in this orbit for a staggering 434 days, sustaining itself through solar power technology while being remotely operated from the ground. What this new mission achieved in particular was a reduced fuel output through new 'robust' movement techniques.
"Drawing on decades of lessons learned from previous space missions, this technique involves the use of atmospheric drag over the course of multiple passes to change orbits while expending minimal fuel," outlines the Unites States Space Force in a statement following X-37B's return to Earth.
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This wasn't the only thing that the mystery craft achieved during it's lengthy time in space though, as General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations at the USSF, explains:
"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 maneuvre underscores the US Space Force's commitment to pushing the bounds of novel space operations in a safe and responsible manner."
While details remain almost entire vague, the statement also adds that these tests and experiments "aim to improve the United States Air Force's knowledge of the space environment," remaining critical to the agency's "ability to conduct space operations in an increasingly congested and contested environment of space."
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This could perhaps line up with projects of a 'new space race' surrounding the Moon, which has recently been valued at over $170 billion.
Private agencies are ramping up their efforts to enhance exploration of the Moon due to it's dense natural resources and 'wild west' nature, so the ability to adeptly move within a space that will likely become incredibly congested could help a lot with that.