News: Spaceplane

Amateur astronomers believe they have located the X-37B US military unmanned spaceplane, which was launched into orbit on a classified mission a month

A new top secret spaceplane has been located and tracked by amateur skywatchers as it begins its surveillance mission for the Pentagon. The unmanned mini-shuttle, called X-37B, was launched by the US Air Force on April 22 from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

A group of amateur sky-watchers has succeeded in tracking the movements of a recently-launched unmanned US spaceplane. The Pentagon could hardly deny it existed - takeoff was quite noticeable - but flatly refused to discuss its function. But an international team of amateur satellite-watchers believes it's been able to track the spaceship.

A team of amateur sky watchers has pierced the veil of secrecy surrounding the debut flight of the nation’s first robotic spaceplane, finding clues that suggest the military craft is engaged in the development of spy satellites rather than space weapons.

A prototype spaceplane developed for the US military has been launched into orbit from Florida. The X-37B, which has been likened to a scaled-down space shuttle, blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 1952 EDT (2352 GMT) on Thursday.

Top secret X37B US Military Spaceplane launched into orbit (English, Urdu)

The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle also referred to as the Advanced Technology Demonstrator is set for launch tonight, April 22, 2010. It will be taken aloft by The Atlas V in the 501 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage from Cape Canaveral Air Force

A prototype spaceplane developed for the US military has been launched into orbit from Florida.