{"id":3923522,"date":"2026-01-12T19:05:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T00:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mikedyess.info\/para\/a-spacecraft-has-been-orbiting-earth-for-over-700-days-and-only-the-u-s-military-knows-why\/"},"modified":"2026-01-12T19:05:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T00:05:21","slug":"a-spacecraft-has-been-orbiting-earth-for-over-700-days-and-only-the-u-s-military-knows-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/mikedyess.info\/para\/a-spacecraft-has-been-orbiting-earth-for-over-700-days-and-only-the-u-s-military-knows-why\/","title":{"rendered":"A spacecraft has been orbiting Earth for over 700 days and only the U.S. military knows why"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

YouTube Video Here: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BGn80n68wLk?feature=oembed<\/a><\/p>\n

For over 700 days, a mysterious spacecraft has been orbiting the Earth, and yet no one other than the U.S. Air Force knows why.<\/p>\n

So what exactly is going on here? First, some background from IFL Scienc<\/em>e<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThis is the fifth mission of the X-37B space plane, an uncrewed and solar-powered military drone. The Orbital Test Vehicle 5 (OTV-5) mission launched way back on September 7, 2017, with the help of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the fourth mission \u2013 Orbital Test Vehicle 4 (OTV-4) \u2013 it remained in orbit for 717 days, 20 hours, and 42 minutes, which it has now surpassed, with no details yet on when the mission may end.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

The #X37B<\/a> #OTV4<\/a> is the newest and most advanced re-entry spacecraft. Find out more about today’s landing here: https:\/\/t.co\/GUGgOMQiYg<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/HfHHVnWhYc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) May 7, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n