Boeing X-37

NASA’s Space Shuttle operated in low-Earth orbit for 30 years before its retirement in 2011. However, the US space agency’s replacement for this vehicle, Orion, returned to the conical capsule design familiar from the Apollo missions. This was because NASA intended that this newer craft be used for exploring targets in deep space, such as the Moon.The Animal Kingdom Imagines a World of Humans Turning Into AnimalsBut in recent years, we have seen a return of the spaceplane design. Since 2010, the U.S. Space Force (and…

China’s Shenlong robotic spaceplane, on its third mission, has added a new layer of intrigue to its space activities by deploying six unidentified objects into Earth’s orbit.Astronomers Could Soon Get Warnings When SpaceX Satellites Threaten Their ViewShenlong, meaning “Divine Dragon,” embarked on its third mission on December 14, successfully deploying six objects into orbit shortly afterward. These objects are currently being tracked by both the U.S. Space Force and amateur observers. The items, which appear to be…

For the first time, a SpaceX Falcon Heavy will attempt to deliver the Pentagon’s spaceplane to low Earth orbit. The mission marks the seventh for the mysterious spacecraft, aiming to expand the Space Force’s knowledge of the space environment and test new technologies.Zillow Says You’ll Buy Your Next House With… AI? | AI UnlockedThe Falcon Heavy is slated to launch at 8:15 p.m ET on Sunday, December 10 from launch complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Both side boosters will attempt vertical landings shortly…

The Chinese spaceplane finally returned to Earth earlier this week, but we’re still learning more about its time in orbit. The spacecraft caught and released an unidentified object several times during its flight, performing a series of maneuvers that were captured by orbital radars, according to California-based LeoLabs. The company released its observational data, saying in a tweet that the data shows there were at least two capture and docking operations performed by the spacecraft.Better Mobility & Cameras: NASA…

China’s spaceplane launched from the Jiuquan Launch Center aboard a Long March 2F rocket in August 2022.Photo: LIU HUAIYU (AP)The long, drawn-out saga of China’s latest spaceplane mission has come to an end, with the reusable vehicle completing a second secretive mission that lasted much longer than its first flight.Astronomers Could Soon Get Warnings When SpaceX Satellites Threaten Their ViewChina’s spacecraft landed on Monday at the Jiuquan launch centre, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology…

The uncrewed spaceplane landed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility.Photo: U.S. Space ForceThe U.S. Space Force’s spaceplane touched down at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida after spending nearly three years orbiting around Earth on a secretive mission.The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle-6 (OTV-6) landed on November 12 at 5:22 a.m. ET, setting a new record of 908 days in orbit. The Boeing-built reusable vehicle’s previous record had been 780 consecutive days in orbit. The spaceplane took off in May…

A Long March-2F Y12 rocket blasting off in June 2021. Photo: Ng Han Guan (AP)The saga of China’s spaceplane continues as the experimental vehicle just released a mystery object that’s now closely trailing behind in low Earth orbit. On Monday, the United States Space Force’s 18th Space Defense Squadron tracked an object in a similar orbit to the spaceplane, SpaceNews first reported. The object appeared to be very close to the spaceplane. So close, in fact, that the Space Force unit had to make sure it was a separate…

China’s experimental spacecraft launched from the Jiuquan Launch Center in August.Photo: FCHNA (AP)It’s been nearly eight weeks since we last heard from China’s spaceplane, which launched from the the Gobi Desert in early August. But things are happening, as the spaceplane recently fired its thrusters to ascend to a higher and more circular orbit, but for reasons that aren’t entirely clear. The reusable spacecraft took off onboard a Long March 2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on August 4. As…

The Chinese spaceplane module launched aboard a Long March-5 rocket under mysterious circumstances. Photo: LIU HUAIYU (AP)China recently launched a secretive reusable spaceplane, and the mysterious spacecraft is still flying around with no information on when it is meant to land. The experimental spaceplane missed an opportunity to land early Monday as it flew right over its landing site, and has now flown higher and longer than before.It’s been nearly two weeks since China launched a reusable spacecraft experiment…