What is a US spacecraft doing in orbit more than 2 years after its launch? This is the secret project X-37B.
For some time now we have been able to see how NASA and SpaceX have collaborated on various projects with the aim of obtaining synergies in the aerospace field, but these fundamental players a somewhat special competitor has emerged. The United States, under the directive of Donald Trump, decided to create a new elite body linked to the defense sector. The so-called Space Force has become an entity that develops classified missions.
One of the ones that has caused the most commotion has been the one that has had as its protagonist a ship that, for more than 2 years, has been in orbit. The project known as X-37B remains a mystery and, curiously, it has been known that it has no crew. It is, therefore, a figure that is developing an unknown task, although NASA also took advantage of its takeoff to take with it a series of research elements. What has been known after its launch from Cape Canaveral in May 2020?
Let’s see what are the keys to a technology that could be a benchmark in the aerospace industry, what are the data that have emerged regarding this ship in particular and, of course, to what extent we are faced with a mission that could be copied over the next few years by other world powers. Here is everything that has transpired so far.
Project X-37B or how to expand the collection of classified information to Space
According to information from Popular Science, 900 days have already passed since this unmanned spacecraft is in orbit with hardly any information about it. It has been known that, within its respective volume of payload, it had a series of educational elements that were intended to provide resources to the United States Space Force Academy, but it is notorious to think that it would not have happened more 2 years in orbit with this unique function.
The X-37B has classified information, so it has not been possible to know what its function is. Image: Zbiam
Much has been said about the role of this product and about its possible role in espionage. Be that as it may, the renowned N2YO portal revealed how NASA had used this launch to carry out 2 research programs related to orbital radiation. This could be the reason that would explain his extensive trip, but the truth is that many unknowns still emerge in this regard. Based on its design, it is not possible, either, to be able to carry out an explanation that allows us to understand why, after all this time, it continues to remain in orbit.
It is well known in the military field how the United States Space Force intends to destroy enemy satellites and how it plans to deal with the new threats present after the improvement of technology. Be that as it may, what seems clear is that the aerospace career is becoming more and more like what was experienced in the second half of the 20th century. Of course, the protagonists have changed. If, in the past, the United States faced the former Soviet Union, this time it seems that its fiercest competitor will be China.