Details are emerging about the mysterious space plane the U.S Air Force sent into outer space back in 2012. The space plane was meant to serve its mission for only 9 months. The unmanned ended up doing 22 months in space, performing a mission the United States Air Force terms classified.
The X-37B left earth on December 11, 2012. The space plane left earth from Cape Carnival in Florida. At the time, the Air Force had released a statement claiming the plane would only last 9 months in space. That was not the case.
The X-37B is expected to land at the Vandenberg California Air Base after a record 22 months in outer space. The base did not give an exact time for the plane to be landing, but mariners and Federal Aviation Administrators said that the airspace around the Southern Californian base would be closed from 8 a.m to 5 p.m.
The X-37B is an amazing plane, standing at 29 feet, 3 inches long and 9 feet, 6 inches high, with a wingspan of 14 feet 11 inches. It weighs about 5.5 tons, and is lifted into space by United Launch Alliance's Atlas v Rockets.
The 22 month mission of the plane is the third longest in history. What was the space plane's mission for all that long? The United States Air Force has been mum over the issue, not giving in to any form of questioning by the members of the press. However, NASA scientists and aviation gurus have offered clues on the mission of the mysterious space plane.
Space bombing?
Popular Mechanics have taken off this theory. The plane's colossal weight means it can not properly maneuver across enemy territory swiftly.
Troop Transport?
The space plane could ferry future troops into battle, it leaves earth fast and lands even faster. But troop transport doesn't make use of its most notable quality, staying in space for record breaking periods of time.
Spy plane?
Definitely. Popular Mechanics says, "A group of civilian satellite spotters tracking the second X-37B ... noted that the space plane's orbit takes it over countries including Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan."
