The mysterious Boeing X-37B drone completed a 908-day space mission and returned to Earth for the first time since 2020

In May 2020, the Boeing X-37B military space drone launched the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-6) mission into orbit. More than two years later, it finally returned to Earth.

Here's What We Know

The spacecraft was designed to test future space technology. Most of its missions have been classified, which has spawned a number of rumors. For example, conspiracy theory buffs claimed that the X-37B was used to test hypersonic weapons.

The drone is 8.28 meters long and has a 4.6-meter wingspan and a maximum takeoff weight of about 5 tons. The X-37B is equipped with a Rocketdyne Ar2-3 engine, which allows it to carry a payload of up to 900 kg.

The space drone went into orbit with radiation protection materials and plates created using additive technologies. Now scientists will study the effect of open space on them.

We recently wrote that the Boeing X-37B spent 900 days in orbit, noting that there was no information about the timing of the mission's completion. And now, eight days later, the drone has successfully landed at a spaceport in Florida. So OTV-6 lasted 908 days, 128 days longer than the previous mission, OTV-5.

Source: Space Force