DefenceTalkThe Boeing [NYSE: BA]-built X-37B autonomous spaceplane today launched on top of a uniquely configured United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Boeing is the prime contractor for the X-37B spaceplane and facilitates the integration of all experiments into the vehicle ensuring they receive the correct power, thermal and data services required. Boeing also works to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/boeing-built-x-37b-launches-in-2nd-mission-for-us-space-force-75568/

DefenceTalkThe US Air Force said Wednesday it would be sending its high-tech X-37B space drone back into orbit this month — the sixth trip for the reusable vehicle that maneuvers around the Earth on secretive missions. The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, which looks like a small version of the manned space shuttles retired in 2011, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-announces-new-mission-for-secretive-space-drone-75455/

DefenceTalkThe United States Air Force (USAF) is preparing their secretive X-37B space plane for its fifth mission in early September. As always, most of the X-37B’s payload and mission is classified, but Space.com has reported that the launch may be slated for early September. The fifth mission of the X-37B, known as Orbital Test Vehicle-5 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/could-the-x-37b-space-plane-be-preparing-for-a-mission-in-september-70318/

DefenceTalkThe US Air Force’s unmanned X-37B space plane has now spent more than 500 days orbiting the Earth, without statement or explanation.The 29-foot unmanned plane is part of the Air Force’s orbital program. Launched May 20, 2015, it is the program’s fourth flight (hence its other name, OTV-4 for Orbital Test Vehicle-4). The first OTV […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-forces-space-plane-has-been-in-orbit-for-500-days-but-why-68377/

DefenceTalkThe US Air Force is preparing to launch its super-secretive space drone into orbit again, and this time NASA will use the flight to see how 100 or so “materials of interest” hold up in space’s harsh zero-gravity environment. No details were released about the nature of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle’s three previous orbital […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagons-mysterious-x-37b-space-drone-heads-back-into-orbit-64264/

DefenceTalkA top secret US robot space plane landed back on Earth on Friday after a 22-month orbit, officials said, although the craft’s mission remains shrouded in mystery. The unmanned X-37B, which looks like a miniature space shuttle, glided into the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California after having launched on December 11, 2012, on a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-militarys-robot-space-plane-lands-back-on-earth-60783/