Secretive Spaceplane Has Been In Orbit For 716 Days

The X-37B, an unmanned spacecraft that resembles a miniature space shuttle, has set another record. The spacecraft has spent 716 days in orbit with no indication that the Air Force plans to bring it back to Earth.

OTV-5 was boosted into orbit on July 9th, 2017 by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Popular Mechanics reports that, according to Space.com, the current mission is to test the "Advanced Structurally Embedded Thermal Spreader experiment (ASETS-II), which is measuring the performance of electronics and oscillating heat pipes in the space environment."

But others see additional potential missions for the lengthy flight. The Secure World Foundation, a nonprofit which studies space policy, believes OTV-5 is also possibly testing technology for next-generation spy satellites, or perhaps even acting as a spy satellite itself.

The X-37B is 29 feet long and has a payload bay about the size of the bed of a standard pickup truck. Two of the spacecraft have been built for the USAF by Boeing.

Recovery of the spacecraft is normally accomplished either in California or Florida. The spacecraft is maneuverable, giving it the capability of changing orbits to thwart adversaries who may try to track it. That information was revealed by former Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson after an amateur astronomer in the Netherlands was able to photograph the X-37B in orbit in July.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report