Spaceplane - Wikipedia
Spaceplanes must operate in space, like traditional spacecraft, but also must be capable of atmospheric flight, like an aircraft. Spaceplanes do not necessarily have to fly by their own propulsion, but instead often glide with their inertia while using aerodynamic surfaces to maneuver in the atmosphere during descent and landing.
Boeing X-37 - Wikipedia
The Boeing X-37, also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), is a reusable robotic spacecraft. It is boosted into space by a launch vehicle, then re-enters Earth's atmosphere and lands as a spaceplane.
List of spaceplanes - Wikipedia
A spaceplane incorporates aspects of both aeroplanes and spacecraft. Most concepts were only capable of sub-orbital spaceflight. Uncrewed reentry test vehicle. Robotic orbiter operated by the United States Armed Forces. Uncrewed reentry test vehicle. Crewed orbiter, launched by the Energia rocket. Only one robotic flight was made.
The secretive X-37B space plane is headed back into orbit ... - NBC News
Dec 9, 2023 · For the first time, the X-37B will ride into orbit atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. Since its debut more than a decade ago, the X-37B has been a source of intrigue within the space...
X-37B: The Air Force's Mysterious Space Plane | Space
Aug 30, 2021 · The U.S. Air Force's unmanned X-37B space plane has flown four clandestine missions to date, carrying secret payloads on long-duration flights in Earth orbit.
Space Force's mysterious X-37B begins 'aerobraking' to lower …
Nov 4, 2024 · In a rare show of openness about the X-37B, Boeing Space released a video detailing how the space plane's aerobraking maneuvers help change its orbit.
Sierra Space unveils Dream Chaser space plane ahead of 1st flight …
Feb 2, 2024 · On that day, NASA and the Colorado-based company Sierra Space gave reporters an up-close look at Dream Chaser, a private space plane that's scheduled to fly its first-ever mission to the...
What Are Spaceplanes? - Built In
Jul 10, 2024 · Spaceplanes are aircraft that use their wings to create lift for atmospheric flight while relying on rocket propulsion to navigate in outer space. An energy source like fuel cells, solar panels or batteries is also needed to power a spaceplane during in-orbit flight.
Space Force’s mysterious X-37B is testing its ‘aerobraking’
Oct 10, 2024 · One of the US Space Force’s (sort of) secret space planes known as the X-37B is gearing up to shift its orbit in a big way.
X-37B - The Boeing Company
1 day ago · The X-37B is one of the world’s newest and most advanced re-entry spacecraft, designed to operate in low-earth orbit, 150 to 500 miles above the Earth. The vehicle is the first since the Space Shuttle with the ability to return experiments to Earth for …