Unveiling the Secrets of Space Force's "Secret" Space Plane and Its Mission

The United States Space Force is preparing for the seventh mission of its secretive X-37B space plane, which is set to launch on December 7. Built by Boeing, the X-37B is a quarter-scale derivative of the Space Shuttle and has flown a total of six missions since its first launch in 2010. While some details of the upcoming mission have been revealed, such as operating in new orbital regimes and carrying experiments related to space domain awareness technologies and radiation effects, most of the payloads and activities remain classified. The X-37B's mission highlights the Space Force's commitment to innovation and advancing space operations.