U.S. Military's X-37B Spacecraft Concludes Secret Mission After 434 Days in Orbit, Landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base

The U.S. military's X-37B, an unmanned spacecraft used for classified missions, has returned to Earth after spending 434 days in orbit. The miniature "spaceplane," operated by the U.S. Space Forces, landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, marking the end of its secretive mission that began in December 2023 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Launched by SpaceX, the X-37B transports military experiments into space. This mission successfully demonstrated the ability to adjust orbits using atmospheric drag for propulsion, enhancing its capabilities. "This experiment expands the envelope of the X-37B, allowing us to test new technologies," said program director Lt. Col. Blaine Stewart. Boeing-built X-37B spacecraft have collectively spent 908 days in space. The vehicle measures approximately 9 meters in length, with a wingspan of about 4.5 meters.