SpaceX recently announced that it has successfully launched the U.S. Space Force's X-37B spacecraft into a predetermined orbit on December 28 using a Falcon Heavy launch vehicle. This is the company's second launch of the X-37B aerospace aircraft, but the rockets used in both launches are not the same. Previously, they used the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, and this time they chose the Falcon Heavy launch vehicle with a dual booster. According to the United States**, the Falcon Heavy rocket was chosen because this time the X-37B will operate in a higher orbit and requires a rocket with greater thrust to launch. At present, the U.S. Space Force is once again sending X-37B space aircraft to carry out space missions.
It is worth mentioning that the launch of the X-37B of the US Space Force took place after the launch of the aerospace aircraft by China, and this "-for-tat" rhythm was quite dramatic. Initially, the US Space Force planned to carry out the launch of the X-37B in early December, but after several postponements, it was finally chosen to take place on December 28. It was also the last launch of SpaceX in 2023. According to public information, SpaceX conducted 96 space launches of the Falcon family of launch vehicles in 2023, including 5 launches of the Falcon Heavy launch vehicle. The original plan was to carry out 100 launches of the Falcon family of launch vehicles in 2023, but they were 96% completed, and for 2024, SpaceX has set a higher launch target.
The X-37B is a military spacecraft developed by Boeing in the United States, which has the ability to sneak attack spacecraft because of its large cargo bay structure that can be fitted with ** or robotic arms. The X-37B has an in-orbit engine and fuel tank attached to the tail section, so it can maneuver in space in order to get close to the spacecraft that needs to be dealt with. In the era of the Space Shuttle, the United States used robotic arms to release and grasp satellites and other spacecraft, and the X-37B equipped with robotic arms can also achieve destruction of spacecraft. Because the U.S. Space Force keeps the X-37B's mission secret, it is not clear what kind of mission the X-37B space plane performs in space.
The U.S. Space Force's X-37B has made its seventh launch, and based on the performance of previous missions, the longest mission has exceeded 900 days, indicating that the reliability of the X-37B is quite high. Although the interior details of the X-37B spacecraft remain mysterious, not even the structure of the cargo compartment, the Pentagon and the U.S. Space Force have remained silent about the X-37B's mission. The U.S. Space Force has many mysterious missions, including the launch and use of spy satellites, and SpaceX does not broadcast the entire mission live when it is launching a military mission to ensure that classified information is not leaked. Today, the United States has made a big military build-up in the field of space military affairs, trying to establish a new strategic deterrence in space, so the X-37B has become an important vehicle.
However, since China has developed an X-37B-like aerospace aircraft, the United States cannot unilaterally use the X-37B to deter China. The tasks that the U.S. Aerospace Force X-37B can perform, the Chinese aerospace aircraft are also capable of, thus forming a new strategic balance. The United States does not want to see China develop space technology, so it has contained China in many areas, but it is clear that the United States is overestimating its own strength.