Secret Space Plane Lands at Vandenberg

Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 01:13 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

After a 15-month orbital mission, the super secret X-37B touched down in California over the weekend.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — The X-37B returned to Earth early Saturday morning after a lengthy 15-month orbital mission. Pinner Paul

X-37B Secret Space Plane — The X-37B’s mission was originally slated to last only 9 months before being extended to nearly twice that.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — While the Air Force stresses that the X-37B’s mission is to test reusable spacecraft technology, many experts speculate that the vehicle’s inclination to low orbit may suggest other, intelligence-gathering objectives. Pinner Paul

X-37B Secret Space Plane — As the second X-37B vehicle’s recent mission comes to an end, engineers are readying the first X-37B vehicle for another launch slated to take place this fall. Pinner Paul

X-37B Secret Space Plane — The X-37B test vehicle waits in an encapsulation cell in Titusville, Florida during April 2010.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — The X-37B test vehicle waits in an encapsulation cell in Titusville, Florida during April 2010.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — The X-37B test vehicle waits in an encapsulation cell in Titusville, Florida during April 2010.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — The X-37B test vehicle waits in an encapsulation cell in Titusville, Florida during April 2010.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — The X-37B test vehicle waits in an encapsulation cell in Titusville, Florida during April 2010.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — The X-37B taxies on the flightline at Vandenberg AFB in June 2009.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — The X-37B seen after landing at Vandenberg in late 2010.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — The X-37B seen after landing at Vandenberg in late 2010.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — The X-37B seen after landing at Vandenberg in late 2010.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — The X-37 Approach and Landing Test Vehicle is installed in a Boeing testing facility in California.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — The X-37 Approach and Landing Test Vehicle is installed in a Boeing testing facility in California.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — A technician makes changes to the Test Vehicle in preparation for structural testing.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — Technicians adjust composite panels on the X-37B prior to airframe testing.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — An Atlas V rocket launches X-37B in April 2010.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — An Atlas V rocket launches X-37B in April 2010.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — Artist’s rendition of X-37B during re-entry.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — Artist’s rendition of X-37B.

X-37B Secret Space Plane — Artist’s rendition of X-37B.

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