The truth is outside – but do not expect the US space Force to lift the lid quickly. Days after a senior figure spoke about the determination of the desk to 'control the space domain', the mystery continues to surround the primary function of the X-37B spacecraft, which quietly returned to the earth for more than 14 months after more than 14 months.
The $ 200 million spaceman (£ 155 million) has now completed seven successful missions, but the activities are largely highly classified.
The primary function of the vessel is unknown, with space power that unveils little about the goal of the goal, except to point out a series of experiments with 'Space Domain Awareness Technologies'.
However, there is clarity about the core mission of the US Army space branch, which was explained earlier this week by Space Force General Bradley Chance Saltzman, the head of the organization.
“Domain control is the special province of Warfighters, a unique responsibility that only love military services,” said Saltzman. 'It is the thing that distinguishes the navy from the Merchant Marine and the Air Force of Southwest Airlines. It is the purpose of the space to achieve space -superiority.
“Simply put, space control includes the mission areas needed to dispute, to regulate the space domain, using kinetic and non-kinetic agents to influence the opponent capacities by disruption and degradation, even destruction if necessary.”
It remains unclear how exactly the unmanned X-37B vessel, which was launched in Florida in Florida at the end of December 2023, fits into Florida in Florida, fits in with that umbrella objective, although it is possible that it will be used to check other track space spaces.
What is known, however, is that in October the vessel took a series of maneuvers that demonstrated his ability to change the job for the first time. Known as aerobraking, the procedure essentially includes the use of the atmosphere of the earth to slow down the vehicle.
The X-37B Orbital test vehicle of the US Space Force 7 landed in the early hours of Friday morning at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, after having spent 434 days in a job
A camera on board the X-37B vessel establishes an image of the earth. Little is known about the $ 200 million spaceman (£ 155 million), which has now completed seven successful missions
Employees on the ground at Vandenberg Space Force Base were present for the landing of the X-37B, the USSF said they emphasized their ability to restore the vessel 'on several sites'
The spacecraft dipping into the atmosphere, on which gas molecules rub against it, creating the resistance it slows.
The technology can change the orbital trajectory of the vessel, or delay it sufficiently to have gravity draw the geography. It also makes the safe removal of the service module on the back of the vessel – the content of which is not specified in this case.
“Mission 7 broke New Ground by presenting the power of the X-37B to achieve his test and experimental objectives in orbital regimes flexibly,” Saltzman said in a USSF statement.
“The successful implementation of the Aerobraking -maneuver underlines the dedication of the US Space Force to push the boundaries of new space operations in a safe and responsible manner.”
Just like the now retired space shuttle, the Boeing-built X-37B launches a rocket and lands as a conventional plane.
“X-37B missions have continuously advanced the space opportunities of our nation by testing new technologies that reduce the risk and inform our future space architectures,” said Holly Murphy, program director for Boeing's Experimental Systems Group, in a video last November.
“Mission Seven is no different.”
The spacecraft that looked somewhat worse for wear, hit the spacecraft in the early hours of Friday morning at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California in California.
Just like the now retired space shuttle, the Boeing-built X-37B, which is seen here on the ground on Andenberg Space Force Base, is launched as a rocket and lands like a conventional plane
On Monday, the Air and Space Forces Association Symposium in Aurora, Colorado, emphasized on Monday Saltzman emphasized the importance of space control in preparation for potential future fights.
“If we really embrace our status as Space Warers, we also have to embrace our fundamental responsibility for space check,” he said.
'We must sharpen all the components of readyness: staff, training, equipment and maintenance. If one of these elements is missing, our readiness as a whole is influenced.
'Space Superiority is a final goal [and] It is the task of the head office to offer the means to achieve this, to create the environment, to set the conditions for the victory. '
