Mysterious Space Plane Built in Seal Beach Tests Limits of Space Exploration

After about nine months in orbit, the unmanned space plane X-37B, built in part by workers at Boeing’s Seal Beach plant, will remain in space indefinitely.

It was originally scheduled to land last week at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, but the Air Force extended its flight this week. The vehicle is designed to stay in orbit for 270 days, which is much longer than a manned space shuttle. The extended mission pushes expectations. It’s the first United States space plane that is automated and can reenter the atmosphere and land on an airstrip to be used again. Its launch caught the attention of foreign officials for the craft’s potential for use in spying or warfare.

“The X-37B OTV team is pleased to announce that we've achieved a milestone of 270 days on orbit, one of our original test objectives. This successful flight is important in the progression of the X-37B program, moving us forward in our effort to prove the utility and cost-effectiveness of an unmanned, long-duration, reusable spacecraft,” Lt. Col. Tom McIntyre, the X-37 systems program manager in the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, said in a written statement.

“We look forward to trying to expand the platform's envelope by extending the mission further. We're extremely proud of this accomplishment--I'm extremely proud of the men and women who have worked so hard to make this mission such a tremendous success.”

The unmanned space plane was built by Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems, the unit that designs and delivers satellites.  If it meets expectations, it could help make space access more affordable and routine.

The mission is experimental in nature, said Maj. Tracy A. Bunko, Air Force spokeswoman.

It is the second launch of the X-37B. The first was launched last year, and it stayed in space for 224 days. One goal of the mission is to test changes made to the craft and test its limits. Designed like a miniature space shuttle, the X-37B is only 29 feet long.