8+ Archivessecretive exploits of the X-37B spaceplane continue.
After spending 434 days in space, the crewless Space Force craft returned to Earth on March 7, landing at California's Vandenberg Space Force Base in the middle of the night. The agency snapped pictures of its return, including the image of a hazmat suit-clad crew attending to the outer space craft.
"The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle-7 (OTV-7), the U.S. Space Force’s dynamic unmanned spaceplane, successfully deorbited and landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on Mar. 7, 2025 at 02:22 a.m. EST," the U.S. Space Force posted on X.
This was the seventh mission of the X-37B, which orbits 150 to 500 miles above Earth to explore reusable space vehicle technologies and conduct long-term space experiments. The plane was originally built by Boeing for NASA, but the project transferred to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, in 2004. At nearly 30 feet long, it's one-fourth the size of NASA's retired Space Shuttle.
Technicians standing near the recently landed X-37B spaceplane. Credit: U.S. Space Force 
The slightly charred X-37B spaceplane after landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Credit: U.S. Space Force This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
The spaceplane's most recent national security-related mission launched in December 2023, and it accomplished a new feat. The Space Force recently revealed on X that the spaceplane "executed a series of first-of-kind maneuvers, called aerobraking, to safely change its orbit using minimal fuel." "Aerobraking" involves using close passes by Earth's atmosphere to produce drag, ultimately allowing it to switch orbits without burning too much of its finite fuel.
When not aerobraking, it appears the spaceplane kept busy with reconnaissance-related activity.
"While in orbit, Mission 7 tested space domain awareness technology experiments that aim to improve the United States Space Force’s knowledge of the space environment," the Space Force said in a statement. "These technologies are critical to the U.S. Space Force’s ability to conduct space operations in an increasingly congested and contested environment of space, to the benefit of all users of the domain."
Spaceplanes, too, must contend with the amassing spacecraft and space junk in Earth's orbit.
Best Amazon deal: Save 20% on floral and botanical Lego sets
Why Refresh Rates Matter: From 30Hz to 540Hz
Today's NYT mini crossword answers for June 18, 2025
Best earbuds deal: Save 25% on the JBL Endurance Race 2 sport earbuds
Apple, Tesla, Spotify: The tech announcements that never happened in 2024
Nvidia and AMD Price Cut Battle, Great GPUs Discontinued
What are pig butchering scams?
Black Friday GPU Buying Guide: November GPU Pricing Update
NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for February 11: Tips to solve Connections #141
3D Game Rendering 101
Apple MacBook Air deal: $899 at Best Buy
How to change your name on Facebook
Palm Pilot: The Tablet That Schooled Apple
Best smart scale deal: Get 20% off the GE Smart Scale at Amazon
Trump praises storm response as historic disaster unfolds in Houston
Best CPU Deals, AMD vs Intel: Holiday CPU Buying Guide
Is Upscaling Useful at Lower Resolutions? Nvidia DLSS vs Native at 1080p
How to Choose an SSD on a Flash Sale
Best GPU deal: GIGABYTE NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 is $1,349.99 at Best Buy
Is the Ryzen 9800X3D Truly Faster for Real
Introducing Mashable ReelsStop worrying, everyone: Trump's picks for FBI director are excellent'Prey' exploit lets players break the gameSteve Harvey does NOT want anyone coming into his dressing room'Prey' exploit lets players break the gameCan Google's ad blocker save the online ad industry from itself?It's 2017, and Samsung is still launching flip phonesThe laptop ban could expand to flights coming from EuropeWell, it's come to this: Buy this house to get free avocado toast for a yearCry of the week: Jimmy bests Chuck on 'Better Call Saul'Microsoft’s new strategy: A deeper meaningIt's 2017, and Samsung is still launching flip phonesThe Russians trolled Trump and released photos of him on the internetGoogle buys VR company OwlchemyMarry your love of instant noodles and fried chicken with this incredible burger'American Gods' is blessed with a Season 2 renewal after two episodesI went to a rage room and smashed up a bunch of stuff and it was amazingMac n' Cheetos are back at Burger King for a cheesy round 2Snap CEO Evan Spiegel is here to lose money and earn your trustLive out your Sailor Moon cosplay fantasies with her official phone and selfie Fourteenth and Jackson by José Vadi Wild Apples by Lauren Groff Redux: Sick Fish by The Paris Review The Chorus by Barbara Bloom and Ben Lerner Sturgeon Moon by Nina MacLaughlin Quiet Magic by The Paris Review Does Technology Have a Soul? by Meghan O’Gieblyn A Dispatch from Emily Stokes, Editor by Emily Stokes Staff Picks: Melancholia, Music, and Meaning by The Paris Review Allowing Things to Happen: An Interview with Tyshawn Sorey by Craig Morgan Teicher The Novels of N. Scott Momaday by Chelsea T. Hicks Redux: In Honor of Jamaica Kincaid by The Paris Review This Year’s Prizewinners Cooking with Aglaja Veteranyi by Valerie Stivers Beaver Moon by Nina MacLaughlin White Gods by Anna Della Subin Three Letters for beyond the Walls by Caio Fernando Abreu The Review’s Review: A Germ of Rage by The Paris Review The Curlews of Galloway by Patrick Laurie A Holy Terror Dancing with Light: On Jim Harrison by Joy Williams
2.0636s , 10138.7578125 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【18+ Archives】,Evergreen Information Network