Home / Photos / Secret Space Plane Lands at Vandenberg Photos Secret Space Plane Lands at Vandenberg By June 20, 2012 After a 15-month orbital mission, the super secret X-37B touched down in California over the weekend.The X-37B returned to Earth early Saturday morning after a lengthy 15-month orbital mission. Pinner PaulThe X-37B’s mission was originally slated to last only 9 months before being extended to nearly twice that. 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 PaulAs 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 PaulThe X-37B test vehicle waits in an encapsulation cell in Titusville, Florida during April 2010. The X-37B test vehicle waits in an encapsulation cell in Titusville, Florida during April 2010. The X-37B test vehicle waits in an encapsulation cell in Titusville, Florida during April 2010. The X-37B test vehicle waits in an encapsulation cell in Titusville, Florida during April 2010. The X-37B test vehicle waits in an encapsulation cell in Titusville, Florida during April 2010. The X-37B taxies on the flightline at Vandenberg AFB in June 2009. The X-37B seen after landing at Vandenberg in late 2010. The X-37B seen after landing at Vandenberg in late 2010. The X-37B seen after landing at Vandenberg in late 2010. The X-37 Approach and Landing Test Vehicle is installed in a Boeing testing facility in California. The X-37 Approach and Landing Test Vehicle is installed in a Boeing testing facility in California. A technician makes changes to the Test Vehicle in preparation for structural testing. Technicians adjust composite panels on the X-37B prior to airframe testing. An Atlas V rocket launches X-37B in April 2010. An Atlas V rocket launches X-37B in April 2010. Artist’s rendition of X-37B during re-entry. Artist’s rendition of X-37B. Artist’s rendition of X-37B. More From Photos A Fond Memory: Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo 2023 Gallery: The Evolution of Van's Aircraft Gallery: Tails on Display at Oshkosh Gallery: Wednesday at Oshkosh Photos: <i>FLYING</i> Honors Award Winners at Adventure Party First Look: Supernal's Air Taxi Passenger Cabin