The U.S. Space Force’s
Secret Spaceplane
An interactive exploration of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), one of the most advanced and mysterious reusable spacecraft ever built. Explore its record-breaking missions, capabilities, and the enduring questions about its purpose in orbit.
Total Missions
7
Total Time in Orbit
3772+
days
Longest Single Mission
908
days (OTV-6)
Key Feature
🚀
Reusable & Autonomous
Mission Deep Dive
The X-37B has consistently pushed the boundaries of endurance for reusable spacecraft. This section allows you to explore each mission individually. Click on a mission button to see its specific details and highlight its duration on the chart, illustrating the clear trend of longer and more ambitious flights over time.
OTV-1
LAUNCHED: APR 22, 2010
Duration: 224 days
Rocket: Atlas V
The inaugural flight, proving the vehicle’s autonomous launch, orbital flight, reentry, and landing capabilities.
Vehicle Analysis
To understand the X-37B’s unique role, it’s helpful to compare it to known vehicles and analyze its launch history. These visualizations provide context on its scale relative to the Space Shuttle and show its reliance on different launch providers, marking a shift with the introduction of SpaceX’s Falcon rockets.
Launch Vehicle Usage
Size Comparison: X-37B vs. Space Shuttle
The Big Questions
The true purpose of the X-37B is classified, leading to widespread speculation. While officials state its role is to test reusable spacecraft technologies, its capabilities suggest a range of potential applications. Explore some of the leading theories about what this vehicle does during its long months in orbit.
This is a common but unlikely theory. While technically possible, deploying weapons from orbit is banned by the Outer Space Treaty. Experts suggest that using the X-37B as a weapon would be inefficient and easily trackable. Its small payload bay also limits the size and number of potential armaments it could carry.
This is a more plausible theory. The X-37B could potentially deploy small satellites into specific orbits or rendezvous with existing satellites for inspection, repair, or even capture. Its payload bay and robotic arm capabilities (though unconfirmed) would be well-suited for such tasks. Mission OTV-5 successfully deployed several small satellites.
The ability to change its orbit makes the X-37B an unpredictable and effective platform for surveillance. Unlike traditional spy satellites with predictable paths, the X-37B could maneuver to observe different targets around the globe. It could also be used to test advanced reconnaissance sensors and technologies before they are deployed on dedicated satellites.
This is the official explanation and aligns with much of the available evidence. The X-37B provides a unique platform to test new technologies in the space environment and return them to Earth for analysis. Experiments have included advanced materials, propulsion systems (like the Hall-effect thruster tested on OTV-4), and a solar power transmission experiment on OTV-6. This allows for rapid iteration and development of next-generation space technology.
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