It’s no secret in the spaceflight community that a secret mission is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A on Sunday.
What is speculative, however, is the exact time of the launch, which still has not been officially released. But that’s not uncommon for this type of launch.
The upcoming USSF-52 mission is for the United States Space Force. A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will carry the Department of Defense’s X-37-B Orbital Test Vehicle back to orbit for a seventh orbital mission. The X-37B is an uncrewed military space plane which is renowned for carrying “classified” payloads into space. The Space Force is partnering with the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office on this particular mission. No one really knows the exact purpose of the mission or how long it will last because…you guessed it…it’s a secret!
What We Know
The US Space Force shared these nuggets on their website about the upcoming mission:
- “The X-37B Mission 7 will launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket for the first time, designated USSF-52, with a wide range of test and experimentation objectives. These tests include operating the reusable spaceplane in new orbital regimes, experimenting with future space domain awareness technologies, and investigating the radiation effects on materials provided by NASA.”
- Chief of Space Operations, Gen. B. Chance Saltzman hailed these experiments as “groundbreaking,” saying, “The X37B continues to equip the United States with the knowledge to enhance current and future space operations. X-37B Mission 7 demonstrates the USSF’s commitment to innovation and defining the art-of-the-possible in the space domain.”
- The NASA experiment onboard will expose plant seeds to the harsh radiation environment of long-duration spaceflight. Known as “Seeds-2,” the experiment will build upon the successes of prior experiments, paving the way for future crewed space missions.
Want to buy a launch ticket?
The secrecy of the launch however, didn’t stop Delaware North, commercial operators of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, from selling launch viewing tickets for $75 bucks apiece though. (That’s really a bargain. Many of their launch viewing offerings are $250). So at SOME TIME on Sunday, a bunch of lucky viewers will be treated to a pretty spectacular launch, seated just under four miles from the pad.
More About the X-37B
The X-37B, also known as the OTV Orbital Test Vehicle or the spaceplane, is a highly secretive and mysterious piece of technology. Operated by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a branch of the US Department of Defense, the X-37B is a reusable unmanned vehicle for the US Space Force. It was initially developed by NASA in 1999 but has since been taken over by DARPA. The X-37 has completed at least six significant missions, with each mission achieving longer and longer durations in space. Its sixth flight, known as OTV-6, spent a record-setting 908 days and 21 hours in space before returning to Earth on November 12th, 2022.
Here are some facts about the X-37B:
- Design: The X-37B is one-quarter the size of the Space Shuttle.
- Launch: The X-37B launches vertically with the help of a rocket.
- Altitude: The X-37B is designed to operate at altitudes between 110 and 500 miles.
- Orbit: The X-37B is designed to operate in low-earth orbit, 150 to 500 miles above the Earth.
- Missions: The X-37B flies regular covert missions with purposes that aren’t fully known.
- Cost: The project cost US$192 million over four years.
Despite these impressive missions, the X-37 does not receive the same level of attention or coverage as other space events. The exact objectives of the X-37 missions remain classified, but there are speculations about its purpose. One of the rumored tasks is the testing of various materials in outer space, with the goal of developing more efficient spaceships in the future. The X-37B is also believed to be involved in testing next-generation propulsion methods, as demonstrated by the deployment of the FalconSAT-8 satellite during its sixth flight.
There have been speculations about the X-37 being used for spying purposes, particularly on China.
However, these claims have been denied by official sources. The X-37’s ability to avoid detection and change its orbit quickly has fueled these speculations.
Additionally, there have been suggestions of top-secret, unregistered satellites being deployed by the X-37, although these claims have also been denied. The X-37 offers a unique platform for conducting experiments and tests in space. With its unmanned nature, it allows for riskier experiments that may not be feasible with human presence on the International Space Station (ISS).
While the exact methods and results of the experiments conducted on the X-37 remain classified, it provides the United States with valuable data and insights about the space environment. DARPA, the organization behind the X-37, is known for its secretive operations and development of game-changing technologies. It has a history of undisclosed projects, some of which have yielded significant results. While DARPA remains a covert arm of the US government, other countries, including Russia, China, and the UK, allegedly employ similar secretive organizations. The X-37B missions have largely gone unnoticed by the public, despite their potential significance.
DARPA’s ability to operate behind the scenes and gather valuable information is notable. While NASA and the Space Force often dominate headlines, DARPA plays a crucial role in providing data and supporting frontline space activities. The project continues to operate with a vague trajectory and distant goals that are known only to a select few.
The X-37C
There are rumors of a potentially crewed iteration of the X-37 in the future, known as the X-37C.
The X-37 remains a highly secretive and innovative spaceplane operated by DARPA. Its missions remain classified, but it is almost certain the X-37 is involved in testing materials, propulsion methods, and potentially conducting surveillance. DARPA’s covert operations and cutting edge technologies make it a crucial player in the space industry as well as national security.
