Spaceplane – Spaceflight Now

July 15, 2026

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[ July 4, 2026 ] Semiconductor manufacturing test bed flies alongside Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 launch Falcon 9
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[ June 30, 2026 ] Astronauts ‘operate’ on space station’s broken robot arm Mission Reports
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[ June 28, 2026 ] SpaceX launches 7.5-ton SiriusXM satellite as part of constellation refresh Falcon 9

China tests experimental reusable spacecraft shrouded in mystery

September 8, 2020 Stephen Clark

A mysterious space vehicle described by Chinese state media as an experimental reusable spacecraft completed a two-day flight in low Earth orbit Sunday.

Rapid-fire engine tests raise hopes for DARPA’s planned reusable spaceplane

July 18, 2018 Stephen Clark

A series of unprecedented back-to-back test-firings of a rocket engine originally developed for NASA’s space shuttle concluded earlier this month, giving engineers data crucial to achieving rapid 24-hour turnarounds planned for a U.S. military-funded reusable winged booster under construction at Boeing, government and industry officials said.

Photos: Sunday’s return of X-37B after 718 days in space

May 8, 2017 Justin Ray

This gallery of U.S. Air Force photos show technicians, wearing protective SCAPE suits, initially check for hazardous hypergolic fuel vapors around the X-37B spaceplane on the Shuttle Landing Facility runway and the subsequent tow of the vehicle to its newly-renovated hangar at the Kennedy Space Center.

Video: Sunday’s landing of X-37B at Kennedy Space Center

May 7, 2017 Justin Ray

The U.S. military’s mini space shuttle successfully returned to Earth today, touching down on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility after spending 718 days in space.

X-37B spaceplane returns to Earth and makes autopilot landing in Florida

May 7, 2017 Justin Ray

The Air Force’s robotic X-37B mini space shuttle swooped out of obscurity today after 718 days spent in orbit on a secretive military mission, touching down at the Kennedy Space Center’s orbiter runway on autopilot, the military announced on Twitter.

No imminent X-37B landing planned

February 14, 2017 Justin Ray

The enigmatic X-37B spaceplane, launched into low-Earth orbit on an experimental military mission in 2015, continues to circle the planet despite a flurry of landing rumors.

One year in space: X-37B spaceplane celebrates anniversary without fanfare

May 20, 2016 Justin Ray

Orbiting the world in seclusion for the past year, the Air Force’s mysterious X-37B spaceplane marks the anniversary of its launch today.

X-37B spaceplane’s orbit discovered

May 27, 2015 Justin Ray

Hobbyists who keep track of the skies with remarkable precision have found the U.S. Air Force’s mini space shuttle in its no-longer-secret orbit around the Earth.

Video: Fourth X-37B launch highlights

May 22, 2015 Justin Ray

This is the launch highlights reel from United Launch Alliance of the Atlas 5 rocket carrying the fourth mission of the Air Force’s X-37B spaceplane.

Photos: Pad cameras capture Atlas 5 launch

May 21, 2015 Justin Ray

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket with the Air Force’s X-37B spaceplane lifts off at 11:05 a.m. EDT from Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

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