Secret Boeing X-37B spacecraft is going to do something in space that's never been done before

  • The new Boeing X-37B comes with increased payload capacity
  • The spacecraft has completed six missions so far
  • The seventh mission is underway

Published on Oct 14, 2024 at 4:00 AM (UTC-4)
by Alessandro Renesis

Last updated on Oct 15, 2024 at 7:12 AM (UTC-4)
Edited by Tom Wood

Secret Boeing X-37B spacecraft is going to do something in space that's never been done before
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There’s a new game-changing spaceplane called the Boeing X-37B.

It’s a military spacecraft, and it’s theoretically capable of something that’s never been done before.

Chiefly thanks to its payload capacity.

The spacecraft is currently in its seventh mission, so we’ll find out soon enough whether the plane can make history or not.

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Why the new Boeing X-37B is so important

For the new mission, dubbed USSF-52, Boeing launched the X-37B atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

The launch was completed in November 2023, but the spacecraft is only expected to land in 2027.

The main improvement compared to similar spacecraft is the X-37B’s increased payload capacity, which would potentially enable longer missions and more experiments in space.

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Space Race ‘season 2’ is underway

The ‘Space Race’ is back in full swing, it seems, and now every major power is trying to get a piece of the pie.

Over the last 12 months alone, we’ve seen the CNSA (Nasa’s equivalent in China) share new footage of its lunar base, and India reach the south pole of the Moon, which is something no one had ever done before.

After that, the CNSA announced a program that’s essentially China’s answer to NASA’s Artemis program (in collaboration with SpaceX).

The ultimate goal is to build a permanent Moon base.

They called it the ILRS (International Lunar Research Station) and it was jointly announced by China and Russia in 2021.

Since then, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nicaragua, Pakistan, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Venezuela have also joined the initiative.

During the first Space Race, in the 1960s, it was essentially a battle between the United States and the USSR.

Now, there are a lot more players involved.

Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.