THE X-37B IS GIVING US SOMETHING TO WATCH IN 2024 AND BEYOND
The U.S. government has a well-documented history of secretive aircraft and missions. Even secretive missions and ideas have been followed by skeptics, enthusiasts, and anyone in between. A perfect example is the X-37B. An aircraft that goes around the Earth in orbit without a crew, so they say, for varying lengths of time. It’s an intriguing project. Not only because you can find, or can’t find, the X-37B orbiting for obscene amounts of time, but also because nobody seems to know exactly what it’s doing up there. Read next: Fat Leonard Update: $35 Million Navy Scandal Fugitive Is Back Stateside
What Is the X-37B?
The X-37B is a re-entry spacecraft noted as the newest and most advanced on the market. Formally known as the Boeing X-37, the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) is based on NASA's X-37 design and performs long-duration tests and experiments in the vicinity of low Earth orbit altitudes. Today, the X-37B space plane is operated by the U.S. Space Force (USSF) after being under the direction of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) in 2004, and before that, NASA in 1999.
What Does the X37B Do?
The exact purpose of the Boeing X-37B spaceplane is shrouded in mystery. This is in part due to the secretive nature surrounding the aerospace experiment and also due to the fact that the ship itself conducts experiments as its purpose. Beating its previous record of 780 days, the spacecraft circled the plant for 902 days. The X-37B Boeing experiment is a mystery we may not be able to understand for many years. Nevertheless, here are some things we do know about this impressive piece of innovation:
- America has a deep interest in space exploration and continues to innovate.
- Despite investing insane amounts of money into developing reusable aircraft, apparently, it’s already possible.
- Experiments in space are vital to additional future missions, and the X-37B is helping us learn more about space travel.
- It’s been reported that a variety of testing on different components for space travel and aerospace as a whole have been conducted.
In addition to these facts, we also know that Area 51 exists for a reason; the government doesn’t always lie (but sometimes it does), and even legitimate organizations believe there is more than meets the eye with this program.
Is the X37B Manned?
Experts believe that the Boeing X-37B could eventually carry humans as well as cargo. One particular point to make note of is that this would be a specifically important function geared towards transporting humans and cargo to the International Space Station (ISS). This sounds like a great plan, but the ISS is going to be coming down in less than a decade. While the X-37B could still be used in this capacity or in other similar capacities as humans expand their footprint into space, it does make you wonder if such ideas are the actual mission or a convenient cover. On its fifth mission, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the X37B into space. Considering there are only a few, though growing rapidly, available entities that can achieve such a feat, it should be no surprise that collaboration happened.In fact, both NASA and SpaceX have collaborated before and continue to do so. Collaboration between parties like this can help make ideas, such as a manned X37B flight, a reality much sooner than working independently.
Do the Russians Have an X-37B Type Program?
It’s unsure whether or not the Russians have a program mimicking the X-37B, but here’s what we do know:
- Russia is concerned about America’s program and believes that it is nuclear capable.
- Reports do point out that Russia has at least attempted to build a matching program, but its evolution and success are a bit unclear.
More clear than Russia’s ambitions are China’s. Our friend/enemy in Asia was found to have landed its first successful comparable spacecraft in 2020, a decade after the X-37B is said to have begun operating.
Chinese and American Launches December 2023
On December 14, 2023, China discreetly launched its experimental reusable spacecraft for the third time. This launch came from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center inside the Gobi Desert, using a Long March 2F rocket.It's believed that China is looking to operate in Earth's low orbit for its mission while conducting experiments for science and to improve its technology. The gap between China's first two missions was nearly two years. This was only just over seven months.These signs point to notable improvements from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and the nation's ability to reuse spacecraft. However, it’s still the United States and its X-37B leading the modern space race.Not to be outdone, the U.S. Space Force (USSF) continues to push back its latest mission but is working towards launching on December 28, 2023. Weather has stalled the mission originally set to take place on December 7, 2023, but the Guardians are committed to making yet another mission happen.OTV-7 is the name of the USSF’s latest mission which will have similar goals as China’s. A focal point for the U.S. is to test the impact of radiation from flights that require longer travel times. To do so, the United States will be using plant seeds.The X37B launch is also a notable one because of the use of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. Once it launches, it’s hard to say when the spaceplane will return. However, based on previous missions, anything earlier than 2026 seems a bit premature to expect a return.
How Does the X-37B Change Directions in Space?
As part of the mystery, we may not know exactly how it changes direction, but we do know that the X-37B is capable of changing its orbit. While passing over Vandenberg Air Force Base and Schriever Air Force Base, as they were known at the time, the spacecraft was observed raising its orbit in 2010. Rumors the U.S. military is testing an EM Drive on the X-37B space plane just won't die; for those who don’t know, an EM Drive is a concept so far for providing thrust to a spacecraft. But as of now, we are still unsure how things work in terms of how the U.S. is changing its course.
Conspiracies Abound
In the era of Twitter and Reddit, it’s almost expected that any and everything will have a conspiracy theory attached to it. However, not everything is tin foil hats or farfetched at all. Prevailing theories exist, as well as general skepticism:
- This is an espionage program and is working to create more spy satellites for the United States.
- Chemtrails… you connect the dots.
- The U.S. is actively monitoring China's Tiangong-1 space station module.
- It’s a delivery system to transport weapons into space. (Are we building a Death Star?!)
- Radiation testing is being conducted on sensors and other tech components.
Of course, these are just theories, so they can’t be confirmed. Has the U.S. spied on people and governments? Used chemical warfare from the skies? Are they actively running experiments in the space plane X-37B? The program is probably nothing… but you can’t blame anyone for wondering.
How Does the X-37B Launch?
Launching the secretive spacecraft comes courtesy of either an Atlas V 501 or a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The X-37B continues to use such rockets to begin its impressive journeys. Whatever truth is out there, we may have to wait a while to discover it. For now, we wait, speculate, and wonder about one of the most innovative space technologies ever created. More like this: Army Robots Could Create a Next-Level Futuristic Military
Image: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE/GETTY IMAGES
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