4 sources·Technology

U.S. Military's X-37B Mini Space Shuttle Completes Record 434-Day Mission

The U.S. military's X-37B space shuttle returned from a secret 434-day mission, demonstrating advanced orbital maneuvering capabilities.

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This story was covered by 4 sources. This shows the distribution of these sources: left-leaning (blue), center (gray), and right-leaning (red).

Reliable

The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.

Balanced

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The U.S. military’s classified mini space shuttle returned to Earth on Friday after circling the world for 434 days.
US military’s mini space shuttle returns to Earth after orbiting for 434 days on a secret mission
Boston Herald·2d
Mostly Reliable
This source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.
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Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.
The mission successfully demonstrated the ability to change orbits by using atmospheric drag to slow down, saving fuel.
US military’s mini space shuttle returns to Earth after secret mission
Military Times·2d
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The U.S. military's classified mini space shuttle returned to Earth on Friday after circling the world for 434 days.
US military's mini space shuttle returns to Earth after orbiting for 434 days on a secret mission
ABC News·2d
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The craft landed successfully at Vandenberg Space Force Base at 2:22 a.m. ET, or 11:22 p.m. local time.
U.S. spaceplane deorbits after classified mission and lands in California
CBS News·2d
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

Mar 7th, 2025, 5:05 PM ET

Summary

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The U.S. military's classified X-37B mini space shuttle successfully returned to Earth after a remarkable 434-day mission. Launched in December 2023, the uncrewed vehicle executed military experiments in low Earth orbit before landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The mission displayed innovative orbital change techniques, including aerobraking for efficient fuel use. This mission marks the seventh flight in the program, which continues to evolve since its debut in 2010, with capabilities that enhance the U.S. Space Force's technological developments and awareness in increasingly crowded space environments.

Perspectives

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The U.S. military’s mini space shuttle successfully returned to Earth after a 434-day mission, demonstrating advanced capabilities in changing orbits and conducting experiments.
The X-37B program continues to evolve, with the latest flight showcasing the craft's ability to operate in a congested space environment.
This mission marks a significant milestone for the U.S. Space Force, enhancing its technological capabilities and strategic position in space.

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