The U.S Air Force’s top secret unmanned space plane will land in June 2012 – ending a year-long highly classified mission in the orbit of Earth.
The experimental Boeing X37-B spacecraft has been circling Earth at 17,000 miles per hour and was due to land in California last December. It is now expected to land in mid to late June.
At launch, the space plane was accompanied by staff in mysterious biohazard suits, leading to speculation that there had been radioactive components on board.
The Vandenberg staff are prepared to execute safe landing operations anytime and at a moment’s notice,’ said Colonel Nina Armagno of the U.S. Air Force’s Space Wing.
The plane resembles a mini space shuttle and is the second to fly in space.
It was meant to land in March, but the mission of the X-37B orbital test car was extended – for unknown causes.
The first one landed last December at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California after more than seven months in orbit.
Sources and more information:
• Air Force’s Secretive X-37B Space Plane Will Land Soon
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