INSIDE THE SECRET SPACE PLANE
What do we know about the US Department of Defense’s X-37B orbital vehicle?
WORDS ADAM MANN
DID YOU KNOW? The X-37B was awarded the Collier Trophy, a most prominent aviation award, for its contribution to space travel
The design improves on the Space Shuttle
© Getty
Did you know?
The plane can change orbit patterns by flying low
The uncrewed X-37B spy plane is one of the most intriguing spacecraft in the world, flying regular covert missions whose purposes aren’t fully known. However, over the years more information about the craft, which is also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), has come to light one tidbit at a time. The reusable craft, resembling a smaller version of one of NASA’s now-retired Space Shuttles, was originally built by NASA in 1999. It’s around 8.8 metres long and 2.9 metres tall, with a wingspan of slightly less than 4.6 metres. It weighs 4,990 kilograms when on the launchpad.