CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The U.S. military’s X-37B space plane has embarked on a new classified mission with the expectation of lasting at least two years. The spaceplane, carried by SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket, was launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, following a two-week delay due to technical issues.

The X-37B, operated by the U.S. Space Force under the National Security Space Launch program, will be conducting tests in new orbital regimes and space domain awareness technologies. The spacecraft, designed for long-duration orbital flights to carry various payloads and technology experiments, is also known for its ability to autonomously land on a runway like an airplane.

This launch marked the first time the X-37B was carried by the more powerful Falcon Heavy rocket, hinting at a potential for higher orbital flights than its usual low-Earth orbit. The specific duration of the current mission has not been disclosed, but it is expected to follow the pattern of successively longer flights, possibly extending until June 2026 or later, after the previous mission set a record of over two years.

Coinciding closely with the X-37B’s launch was China’s Shenlong space plane’s third mission since 2020. The Shenlong, also a secretive project, is believed to be limited to low-Earth orbit deliveries, reflecting the growing space rivalry between the U.S. and China.

The X-37B’s mission underscores significant advances in reusable space technologies and the strategic importance of space in national security and scientific research domains. This development also highlights the escalating competition between the U.S. and China in the realm of spaceplane technologies.

In conclusion, the U.S. military’s X-37B space plane has embarked on a classified mission expected to last at least two years. This mission marks significant advances in reusable space technologies and reflects the intensifying space rivalry between the U.S. and China.