The mysterious X-37B autonomous drone of the US Space Force is set to undertake a mission scanning the skies for potential threats from satellites belonging to adversarial nations. Following a weather-related delay, SpaceX, led by Elon Musk and awarded a $130 million contract for the launch, plans to carry out its 7th orbit mission on December 28. During the delay, the crew will utilize the time for additional pre-launch inspections.
The Falcon Heavy surpasses the power of previous rockets that launched unmanned aerial vehicles, and the upcoming mission for this aircraft is set to reach a higher orbit than its predecessors. The military has emphasized that conducting trials for future space domain awareness capabilities is among the numerous space tests expected for the unmanned drone. Experts suggest that this indicates the X-37B will explore areas beyond the Earth’s atmosphere to identify potential threats, including satellites deployed by unfriendly nations.
As per the Space Force, the mission also aims to assess the impact of radiation on plant seeds during extended space travel, a subject of interest for NASA. In previous deployments of X-37Bs, the Pentagon tested innovative technologies, including a compact solar panel that transforms sunlight into microwaves, a potential technology for transmitting energy from space to Earth in the future.
Operated in secrecy by the Space Force, the X-37B program raises questions about the necessity for the spacecraft, capable of enduring space conditions for months, to venture further into space. Additionally, details regarding the program’s funding remain undisclosed.
Meanwhile, China remains skeptical of the United States’ utilization of these unconventional spacecraft, alleging that the government is endeavoring to weaponize space. China’s covert reusable spaceplane, Shenlong, has reportedly accomplished two missions. Interestingly, no public images of the Shenlong have surfaced, but reports suggest that the latest mission concluded in May after spending 276 days in orbit.
In contrast, the X-37Bs have accumulated over a decade of space presence, with the military asserting that this extended duration has provided valuable insights into the endurance of various items in the space environment.
