Boeing is most commonly known for their popular selling airliners such as the 737, 787 and most notably the iconic 747. Boeing also has a defense arm producing military aircraft such as the FA-18 and KC-46 Pegasus. There is however, a somewhat mysterious autonomous spaceplane built by Boeing called the X-37B. On December 28, 2023 the spaceplane launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket embarking on its 7th mission.
Small Spaceplane Large Endurance
The small spaceplane is only slightly larger than a full sized SUV and is fully autonomous. According to Boeing, the X37B is designed to operate in low-earth orbit, 150 to 500 miles above the Earth. The vehicle is the first since the Space Shuttle with the ability to return experiments to Earth for further inspection and analysis. Similar to the NASA space shuttle program, the spaceplane is launched from a rocket, returns to earth and lands like a traditional aircraft. The first mission commenced April 22, 2010 and concluded June 16, 2012 totaling 468 days in orbit. On the 6th mission, the space plane launched May 17, 2020 and returned to earth on November 12, 2022 spending a whopping 908 days in orbit.
The X-37B Mission
While the specifics of the X-37B’s mission are unknown there are some details that have been disclosed. On its sixth mission however, it was known that the X-37B carried a FalconSat-8 satellite developed by cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy. In a press release from Boeing, “On this seventh flight, the X-37B will test future space domain awareness technology experiments that are integral in ensuring safe, stable and secure operations in space for all users of the domain”.
Controversy And Conspiracies
The secrecy of the X-37B has brought on a string of controversy around what exactly is carried in the payload. Some conspiracies include ideas that the spaceplane can destroy enemy satellites or that is is carrying some kind of space weapon. In a statement from Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, the X37 designated by the Space Force as USSF-52, “will launch with a wide range of test and experimentation objectives. These tests include operating the reusable spaceplane in new orbital regimes, experimenting with future space domain awareness technologies, and investigating the radiation effects on materials provided by NASA.”
Another controversy circulating is around the timing of the 7th launch, which is in close proximity to China’s launch of their secretive spaceplane Shenlong. It was reported by airandspaceforces.com that Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman stated, “it’s no surprise that the Chinese are extremely interested in our space plane. We’re extremely interested in theirs. Because it is a capability; the ability to put something in orbit, do some things, and bring it home and take a look at the results is powerful.” Meanwhile the mysterious X-37B will continue carrying out its secretive missions for years at a time, quietly returning back to earth on a “later date”.
Web article and images do not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.