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Secret Air Force Space Plane Lands After Record 780-Day Mission

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The Air Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Mission 5 recently landed in Florida after spending more than two years in orbit. (Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force)

The U.S. Air Force’s mysterious X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle recently returned to Earth after a record-breaking 780 days in orbit.

On Sunday, the Air Force space plane safely landed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida at 3:51 a.m. EDT, according to a press release. This was the fifth mission for the secretive vehicle, which was constructed by Boeing, NPR reported.

During its mission, the space plane conducted on-orbit experiments for 780 days and spent more than two years in orbit. As of Oct. 27, the total number of days spent on-orbit for the entire X-37B program is 2,865 days. Details on specific experiments were not available, however, the Air Force said the mission hosted Air Force Research Laboratory experiments and provided a ride for small satellites.

“Today marks an incredibly exciting day for the 45th Space Wing,” said Brig. Gen. Doug Schiess, 45th Space Wing commander. “Our team has been preparing for this event, and I am extremely proud to see their hard work and dedication culminate in today’s safe and successful landing of the X-37B.”

The X-37B Orbit Test Vehicle is the Air Force’s reusable and unmanned spacecraft, which enables scientists and engineers to recover experiments tested in a long-duration space environment, according to the Air Force. Its program is managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office and it engages in risk reduction, experimentation, and concept of operations development for reusable spacecraft technologies.

The Air Force is expected to launch the sixth X-37B mission from CCAFS next year.

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