A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket took flight, carrying the US military’s classified X-37B drone into orbit. The launch occurred at 11:50 p.m. (0350 GMT Friday), as shown in SpaceX’s livestream of the event.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX deployed the unmanned X-37B mini space shuttle for its latest mission. “The secretive X-37B drone was successfully launched at 11:50 pm (0350 GMT on Friday),” according to SpaceX’s broadcast.
According to the US Space Force, the drone's latest mission will involve "a wide range of test and experimentation objectives."
"These operational demonstrations and experiments comprise next-generation technologies including laser communications and the highest performing quantum inertial sensor ever tested in space," the service said in a statement last month.
"Mission 8 will contribute to improving the resilience, efficiency and security of U.S. space based communications architectures," it added.
Roughly the size of a small bus, the X-37B resembles a scaled-down version of the crewed space shuttles that were retired in 2011.
In earlier missions, the X-37B has supported various tests for NASA.
The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle has been in operation since 2010. It was developed for the Air Force by United Launch Alliance, a Boeing-led partnership. The drone measures 30 feet in length, has a 15-foot wingspan, and is powered by solar energy.
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