The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) is a reusable, unmanned spaceplane developed by Boeing for the U.S. military. Often shrouded in secrecy, this spacecraft has completed multiple long-duration missions in low Earth orbit, testing cutting-edge technologies and conducting classified experiments. Here’s everything you need to know about this enigmatic vehicle.
Design and Specifications
Dimensions: 29 feet long, 9.5 feet tall, with a wingspan of nearly 15 feet.
Weight: Launch weight of 11,000 pounds.
Power Source: Gallium arsenide solar cells paired with lithium-ion batteries.
Payload Bay: Comparable to the size of a pickup truck bed (7×4 feet).
Propulsion: Uses hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide thrusters for orbital maneuvers.
The X-37B resembles a smaller version of NASA’s retired space shuttle but is designed for unmanned operations. It launches vertically atop rockets like the Atlas V or Falcon 9 and lands autonomously on runways.
Read More : https://onthenode.com/science/the-x-37b-americas-secretive-spaceplane
Design and Specifications
Dimensions: 29 feet long, 9.5 feet tall, with a wingspan of nearly 15 feet.
Weight: Launch weight of 11,000 pounds.
Power Source: Gallium arsenide solar cells paired with lithium-ion batteries.
Payload Bay: Comparable to the size of a pickup truck bed (7×4 feet).
Propulsion: Uses hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide thrusters for orbital maneuvers.
The X-37B resembles a smaller version of NASA’s retired space shuttle but is designed for unmanned operations. It launches vertically atop rockets like the Atlas V or Falcon 9 and lands autonomously on runways.
Read More : https://onthenode.com/science/the-x-37b-americas-secretive-spaceplane
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