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U.S. Space Force’s New Program Launches Secret Mission

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As part of its latest space program, the U.S. has sent, for the 7th time, the X-37B on a secret mission.

  • The team had to delay the launch several times over the last two weeks due to technical issues and bad weather.
  • The space plane is unmanned and reusable and lives to conduct classified experiments for the U.S. Space Force’s National Security Space Launch program.

On December 28th, at 8:07 PM EST, the U.S.’s new space program launched its X-37B space plane on its 7th secret mission.

For the last two weeks, technical issues and adverse weather conditions have been delaying the liftoff from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral.

The space plane is unmanned and reusable, designed for extended orbital flights. From what has been disclosed, we know that it is carrying classified experiments for the U.S. Space Force under the National Security Space Launch program. The team expects it to remain in orbit for several years.

This launch is important as it is the first time that the X-37B hitched a ride on SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket. Considering the power of the rocket, it would enable higher orbital flights than what the space plane has achieved thus far.

Over the last few months, we saw several countries trying their hardest to get into space. The Indians democratized the moon. The Europeans managed to rope in two space giants, Voyager and Airbus, into their plans. The Americans, the British, and the Australians walk into a bar… I’m joking. They actually launched the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capabilities (DARC) program. And much more.

But I have to ask: What are the Americans up to now? You turn your back for 2 seconds and they’re already on a top-secret mission for their new space program.

Why is it classified though?

  1. Because the U.S. doesn’t want to show its cards to the enemies.
  2. Because it will keep the media interested, waiting with bated breath to figure it out.
  3. Because not knowing will send the U.S.’s enemies (read: China and Russia) into a downward spiral of paranoia.
  4. Because the U.S. wants to strip China of the spotlight after it sent its Shenlong space plane into orbit for the 3rd time since 2020 for a secret mission of its own.
  5. All of the above.

Can you imagine if the secret mission is about making candy in space?

I keep wondering something though. From where is all the funding coming? The taxpayers? Some shady deal with someone? You know, like you-scratch-my-back-I-scratch-yours kind of deal. Looking at their healthcare system and foster care system, I’m surprised the U.S. can afford a Happy Meal.

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