US Space Force to launch not-so-secret military spaceplane

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The U.S. Space Force’s secretive X‑37B spaceplane is set for its eighth mission on Aug. 21 from Kennedy Space Center, launching atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The uncrewed, reusable spacecraft, built by Boeing, conducts technology tests and experiments in orbit, often staying in space for 12–24 months. This mission will focus on laser‑based inter‑satellite communications and advanced quantum navigation, allowing the craft to operate without GPS. Since 2010, the X‑37B has spent over 4,200 days in orbit and traveled more than 1.3 billion miles, landing like a plane after completing missions, ABC News has reported. Space Force emphasizes the project’s role in enhancing resilience, security, and innovation for U.S. orbital operations.