US Air Force on Sunday successfully launched its high-tech drone X-37B, placing the reusable vehicle into orbit for its sixth secretive mission in space.
The drone, which resembles a smaller version of the manned space shuttles retired by the US space program in 2011, was launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida, the Air Force said.
It will spend months in orbit, remotely conducting a series of experiments.
“Congratulations on the 6th mission of the X-37B reusable spacecraft,” Defense Secretary Mark Esper tweeted shortly after the launch.
Congratulations on the 6th mission of the X-37B reusable spacecraft @SpaceForceDoD @USAirForce @AF_Academy. pic.twitter.com/ENYg0FDIGR
— @EsperDoD (@EsperDoD) May 17, 2020
The huge Atlas V launch vehicle took off with an earth-shaking roar at 9:14 am (13:14 GMT) to loft the drone, also known as an Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), into space.
The drone in turn will deploy a small research satellite dubbed FalconSat-8, to carry out additional experiments, Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett explained earlier this month, elaborating on what up to now has been a highly secretive project.
“This X-37B mission will host more experiments than any prior missions,” said Barrett, who also heads the recently created US Space Force.
Among the experiments: testing the effect of radiation on seeds and other materials, and transforming solar power into radio-frequency microwave energy that could be transmitted to the ground.
The X-37B is 29 feet long (nine meters), with a wing span of 15 feet (4.5 meters).
The Pentagon has published photos of the drone, but up to now had revealed few details about its missions and capabilities.
On each of its successive flights — the first took place in 2010 — the solar-powered craft has remained in orbit for longer periods.
Its last flight ended in October 2019, after 780 days in orbit. That brought the craft’s cumulative time in orbit to 2,865 days.
At International Conference on Sustainable and Responsible Mining in Hyderabad, the Union Coal and Mines Minister unveiled the Aluminium Vision Document
India's first Equine Disease-Free Compartment has received official recognition from the World Organisation for Animal Health
PNGRB Endorses Changes to Natural Gas Pipeline Tariff Rules
Indian Diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago
India Informs WTO of Possible Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods
Thackeray cousins reunite after 20 years, lead massive “Marathi Victory” rally in Mumbai
Trinidad & Tobago backs India’s UNSC bid as Modi strengthens bilateral ties
CBI uncovers major medical education scam involving top officials, godman
Top Army officer warns of China-Pakistan military nexus as India faces two-front threat
Arijit Singh dethrones global icons to become most-followed artist on Spotify
At International Conference on Sustainable and Responsible Mining in Hyderabad, the Union Coal and Mines Minister unveiled the Aluminium Vision Document
India's first Equine Disease-Free Compartment has received official recognition from the World Organisation for Animal Health
PNGRB Endorses Changes to Natural Gas Pipeline Tariff Rules
Indian Diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago
India Informs WTO of Possible Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods
Thackeray cousins reunite after 20 years, lead massive “Marathi Victory” rally in Mumbai
Trinidad & Tobago backs India’s UNSC bid as Modi strengthens bilateral ties
CBI uncovers major medical education scam involving top officials, godman
Top Army officer warns of China-Pakistan military nexus as India faces two-front threat
Arijit Singh dethrones global icons to become most-followed artist on Spotify
Copyright© educationpost.in 2024 All Rights Reserved.
Designed and Developed by @Pyndertech