MOSCOW, December 29< /strong> Specialist observers will soon calculate the mysterious orbit into which the American military spaceplane X-37B was launched, and will most likely publish it, said Ivan Moiseev, an expert in the field of astronautics and head of the Russian Institute of Space Policy.
Earlier, the Falcon Heavy rocket launched the unmanned X-37B spaceplane of the US Space Force into orbit. The device is called one of the most secret US military projects, and the goals of its mission are usually not disclosed. This was already the seventh flight of the X-37B and the fourth for the device launched this time.
The Falcon Heavy rocket was used for the first time; it is known that, due to its carrying capacity, it is capable of launching vehicles into orbits up to 35 thousand kilometers high. It was officially reported that “new orbital modes” would be tested during the flight, and during the launch broadcast the presenters discussed the possibility of sending the spaceplane into a highly elliptical orbit, probably with a high inclination.
“For now, the exact parameters of the orbit are unknown. This is an interesting question. But it will be determined quickly enough, you can’t hide it. They should publish it, they usually do. Not officially by the US authorities, of course, but by observers,” Moiseev said.
He suggested that the device was launched into a highly elliptical orbit, known in the world as “Molniya” (named after the first Soviet satellite that was sent to it). The expert emphasized that the Pentagon did not officially say why this particular trajectory was chosen this time.
Moiseev hypothesized that the X-37B carries small satellites for military purposes, which it can launch if necessary. If such a need does not arise, the spaceplane will return them to Earth.
The head of the Space Policy Institute emphasized that a highly elliptical orbit is interesting because it allows the spacecraft to remain over a certain region on Earth for a long time, practically “hovering” over it.
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