American spacecraft launcher executes secret mission

The US Air Force on May 20 launched the X-37B spacecraft into orbit, carrying out the fourth mission in its secret program.

American spacecraft carries out a secret mission

The X-37B spacecraft was launched by Atlas V rocket on May 20 from Cape Canaveral air base in Florida state, USA .

According to Space , most detailed information on the orbital operation of the spacecraft is classified, so the exact task of X-37B around the Earth, as well as how long it will be there, is unclear. However, the US Air Force said its fourth mission (OTV-4) would be less focused on the vehicle itself.

"We are very excited about the 4th mission of X-37. With the success of the first three flights, we can redirect the study from the initial errors of the spacecraft to the equipment test. experiments that X-37 brought into orbit, "said Randy Walden, director of the US Air Force's Rapid Response Agency.

X-37B is an unmanned aerial aircraft (UAV) model of the US Air Force. The spaceship looks similar to a NASA space shuttle , with a length of 8.8 m, height of 2.9 m and a span of 4.6 m. Many assumptions surrounding its operational purpose have been put in place over the past time.

The first mission of X-37B began on April 22, 2010, lasting 224 days. The two flights were then carried out in 2011 and 2012.