A mysterious spacecraft has been orbiting the Earth for the past 720 days, and only the US Air Force knows why…
This is the fifth mission of the uncrewed and solar-powered x-37b space plane. The Orbital Test Vehicle 5 mission launched way back in September of 2017, with the help of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The #X37B #OTV4 is the newest and most advanced re-entry spacecraft. Find out more about today's landing here: https://t.co/GUGgOMQiYg pic.twitter.com/HfHHVnWhYc
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) May 7, 2017
The mission objectives of the space plane have remained a closely guarded secret, which leaves lots of room for speculation.
When it launched, conspiracy theorists suggested it could be a “space bomber”. But experts quickly pointed out how changing a spacecraft’s orbital plane requires a lot of thrust that would eat up its limited fuel supply extremely quickly. Essentially it would be useless at hitting any targets that didn’t happen to already be on its flight path. Another theory from Spaceflight magazine is that it’s a spy plane.
The reasoning behind why the space-craft is up there isn’t public knowledge.
It was deemed unlikely, but Spaceflight Editor Dr David Baker said: “Space-to-space surveillance is a whole new ball game made possible by a finessed group of sensors and sensor suites, which we think the X-37B may be using to maintain a close watch on China’s nascent space station.”
“The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, or OTV, is an experimental test program to demonstrate technologies for a reliable, reusable, unmanned space test platform for the US Air Force,” the Air Force said.
“The primary objectives of the X-37B are twofold; reusable spacecraft technologies for America’s future in space and operating experiments which can be returned to, and examined, on Earth. Technologies being tested in the program include advanced guidance, navigation and control, thermal protection systems, avionics, high-temperature structures and seals, conformal reusable insulation, lightweight electromechanical flight systems, advanced propulsion systems, advanced materials and autonomous orbital flight, reentry and landing.”
