Automatic space plane X-37B breaks record in orbital flight duration

The device created by American company Boeing has beat its own record by spending more than 718 days on orbit

X-37B was developed by Boeing for the military with the purpose of making multiple trips to the orbit, however the high secrecy around the project has made it difficult to predict the amount of cargo it will able to carry.

With a wingspan of 4.6 meters and a length of 8.8 meters, the device is compact enough to fit into the payload fairing of a rocket. The device can make its own landing on a regular airstrip.

One thing that is certain is that X-37B was used to deliver scientific supplies. It also appears that it is capable of delivering small satellites to orbit, or even capturing and delivering used satellites back to Earth. Some experts believe that the device can be used for military intelligence missions and testing various types of equipment.

Only two devices have been released within the X-37B project. They have successfully completed four orbital missions to date, with one of the space planes away on its fifth mission, which started in September 2017. On August 26, the machine broke its previous record of orbital flight duration — reaching 717 days, 20 hours and 42 minutes — and is currently successfully continuing its flight. The specifics of the current mission are unclear at present. However, it has been revealed that there are several satellites on board, so we can assume that Boeing is testing X-37B as an orbital satellite delivery vehicle.