SpaceX received $155 million to launch Boeing's secretive X-37B orbital drone using a Falcon Heavy rocket

Falcon Heavy will send Boeing's secretive X-37B drone into orbit, which can fly for years without returning to Earth. The launch is expected to take place at the end of this week or later.

Here's What We Know

The Falcon Heavy launch vehicle will be used for the launch. SpaceX conducted a static test of the Merlin engines over the weekend. The Boeing X-37B will be launched as part of the US Space Force's USSF-52 mission.

The flight will take place no earlier than 10 December this year. This will be the seventh mission for the X-37B and the eighth Falcon Heavy launch. The rocket has not previously been used to send a Boeing orbiter into space.

SpaceX received approximately $155 million for the USSF-52 mission. After this mission, the American aerospace company intends to use Falcon Heavy to launch the Europa Clipper interplanetary space station to Jupiter.