A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted into space on Thursday night carrying the US military’s secretive X-37B drone.
The rocket successfully launched at 11:50 pm (0350 GMT on Friday), according to SpaceX’s livestream of the event.
The Falcon 9 lit up the night sky over NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where it was launched from.
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The US Space Force has said the drone’s mission will include “a wide range of test and experimentation objectives”.
“These operational demonstrations and experiments comprise next-generation technologies including laser communications and the highest performing quantum inertial sensor ever tested in space,” the service said in a statement last month.
“Mission 8 will contribute to improving the resilience, efficiency, and security of US space-based communications architectures,” it added.
About the size of a small bus, the X-37B US space drone looks like a mini version of the manned space shuttles retired in 2011.
On previous missions, the X-37B has carried out tests for the US space agency, NASA.
In operation since 2010, the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle was designed for the Air Force by United Launch Alliance.
It is 30 feet (nine meters) long, has a 15-foot wingspan, and is powered by solar panels.
AFP
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