U.S. military’s X-37B space plane made a quiet return to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, completing a 434-day mission that remains largely classified. With no public fanfare, the uncrewed vehicle touched down in secrecy,

The U.S. military's classified mini space shuttle has returned to Earth after circling the world for 434 days.

The X-37B spacecraft’s latest mission was shorter than the last but tried several new maneuvers and approaches during its time in outer space.

The US military space plane X-37B successfully completed its secret mission and returned to Earth on the night of March 7, 2025 after 434 days in orbit.This

Long before the first rays of sunlight brushed the California horizon, an extraordinary homecoming took place. The U.S. military’s experimental space plane, the X-37B, touched down in secrecy, its journey ending just as mysteriously as it began.

Last Friday, a classified mini space shuttle by the US army made its grand return to Earth, after executing secret manoeuvres around the globe for 434 days (and without a pilot). It was in December 2023,

The X-37B is a reusable robotic space plane operated by the US Space Force. It resembles a miniature space shuttle at just under 9 metres long with a 4.5 metre wingspan and is an uncrewed vehicle designed for long-duration missions in low Earth orbit.

The Boeing X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle landed at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California after spending 434 days in orbit. It returned to Earth on March 7.