An US Air Force’s Spacecraft Just Broke The Record Of Orbitting Earth In Longest Time Period

The record for the spacecraft that has ever been operated with longest period around the Earth’s orbit called out the name of Boeing X-37B of the US Air Force. Despite this, other information of this spacecraft is still very limited as it is separated elsewhere.

This is the fifth journey of the X-37Bs orbiting Earth in 719 consecutive days since September 7, 2017. Prior to that, its fourth mission (OTV-4) recorded the longest time of the spaceship around the Earth's orbit with more than 700 days.

The US Air Force mentioned that the program was designed to demonstrate the reliability, reusability, and without-human assistance of space technologies. In which, the payload includes an examination of ASETS-II to measure how effectively the heat pipes, as well as electronics in space, perform. Scientists are still unable to conclude the exact moment that X-37B will finish its OTV-5 mission, leave the orbit and return to Earth.

It was also noted over time that the X-37B spacecraft had been staying longer in orbit after the first mission. The space shuttle is described with a length of 8.8 meters, a height of 2.9 meters and a wingspan of approximately 4.6 meters. Up to now, the U.S. Air Force is possessing two vehicles of Boeing X-37Bs.

On September 7th, this spacecraft will complete its next mission after 2 years. However, astronomers have yet been able to explain the reason of its landing and neither exploit further information. Some have speculated about conspiracy theories, such as the interference of surrounding satellites or the spy ones from other countries.