"The X-37B OTV is designed for an on-orbit duration of approximately 9 months, " said Lieutenant Colonel McIntyre.
ENGADGET: USAF relaunches its first X-37B on a slightly less mysterious spaceflight
Perhaps the most interesting thing is that the X-37B could stay in orbit for that much longer.
Boeing's X-37B, the test craft that's been kicking around for the last decade or so, has finally made it into orbit.
ENGADGET: Boeing X-37B autonomous space shuttle launched last night, due back 'whenevs'
This appears to be the mindset of the Air Force regarding its experimental X-37B space plane, the billion-dollar robotic vehicle's orbital flight being extended beyond the 270 days it was initially designed for.
"We couldn't be more pleased with the strides we've made in this program and the success of the X-37B vehicle on the first two flights, " said Mr. Richard McKinney, Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for Space.
ENGADGET: USAF relaunches its first X-37B on a slightly less mysterious spaceflight
The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle is led by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, and is designed to demonstrate reusable spacecraft technologies for America's future in space and operating experiments which can be returned to, and examined, on Earth.
ENGADGET: USAF relaunches its first X-37B on a slightly less mysterious spaceflight
Lieutenant Colonel Tom McIntyre, X-37B program manager for the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, explained the third X-37 flight will not only help the Air Force better evaluate and understand the vehicle's performance characteristics, but this first re-flight is an important step in the program.
ENGADGET: USAF relaunches its first X-37B on a slightly less mysterious spaceflight
While the Air Force has stated that the vehicle is meant only for conducting orbital science experiments, analysts say the X-37B is capable of much more, and could perform additional tasks such as acting as an orbital spy, sneaking up on and tampering with enemy satellites or hauling small batches of supplies to the International Space Station.
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