US Air Force's secretive X-37B spacecraft to return to Earth

The US Air Force's secretive X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle is all set to return to Earth after spending more than seven months in space.
The X-37B space plane will land at Vandenberg Air Force Base northwest of Los Angeles at sometime between Friday and Monday, depending on the condition of weather.
The Air Force Space Command confirmed yesterday that it started preparations for the X-37B space plane’s landing.
The space plane will fire its main engine to jump down from orbit and move down through the atmosphere. It will brave scorching hot temperatures over the Pacific Ocean with the help of an insulating shield of ceramic tiles.
The X-37B has cost the country hundreds of millions of dollars, but the total has yet to be released.

Space enthusiasts have been curious to know about the ultimate purpose of the X-37B. But, the Air Force Space Command only said that the spacecraft was launched as a test platform for unstipulated experiments.
The unique ability of the X-37B is that it will bring payload back to Earth.

topnews.co.uk