10 things we know about the secret X-37B spaceplane



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The U.S. Department of Defense’s X-37B unmanned spy plane is one of the most intriguing spacecraft in the world, flying regular covert missions whose objectives are not fully known. But over the years, information about the craft, also known as the orbital test vehicle (OTV), has trickled out. Here we take a look at 10 things that can definitely be said about the secret space plane.

Basic facts are available

The reusable X-37B, which looks like a smaller version of one of NASA’s now retired space shuttles, was originally built by NASA in 1999, as previously reported by Live Science’s Twin site Space.com. It is approximately 29 feet (8.8 meters) long and 9.5 feet (2.9 m) high, with a wingspan of just under 15 feet (4.6 m). It weighs 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms) when on the launch pad.

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