<h5>Okay! What spacecraft has landed?</h5>  <p>An unmanned spacecraft of the United States of America (USA) landed back on Earth on 12th November 2022, after spending 2.5 years in orbit. The Boeing-built X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) set a new record after spending 908 days in orbit. It landed at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA.
This was the plane’s sixth and longest mission. Its previous five missions in orbit ranged from 224 to 780 days. With the completion of its sixth mission, the OTV has now flown over 1.3 billion miles and spent a total of 3,774 days in space (whoa!). In May 2020, the sixth mission of the OTV was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA.
During its time in space, it conducted many experiments for the government and then returned to Earth for evaluation. The spacecraft was home to a service module that carried out experiments for the US Naval Research Laboratory, the US Air Force Academy, and others.</p> <h5>What experiments were conducted?</h5>  <p>OTV-6 was the first mission to use a service module, which was a ring attached to the back of the vehicle. This increased the number of experiments that could be done during a mission. A device of the Naval Research Laboratory was carried by the OTV-6 mission.
This device, roughly the size of a pizza box, can be used to send solar energy down to Earth (seems like sci-fi, no?). This experiment can help generate solar power directly from space. FalconSat-8, a satellite designed by the United States Air Force Academy that carries five experimental payloads of its own, was also carried by OTV-6.
The satellite was launched by the X-37B in October 2021 and is still in orbit today. The spacecraft also carried out a few NASA experiments. One study looked at how plant seeds are affected by space radiation, while another looked at how different materials react to the space environment.
These are only some of the experiments that have been disclosed. Much other information related to the OTV is classified by the Space Force (just like a spy movie). Space Force is the one that conducts the OTV mission.</p> <h5>Okay. What is the Space Force?</h5> <figure>
        <img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/secret-us-spacecraft-lands-after-908-days-in-orbit%2F32123.jpeg?alt=media&token=bd7956a1-53aa-46b3-bc79-06af202a2218" alt="Okay. What is the Space Force?" >
        <figcaption>A rocket takes off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Photo by Space Launch Delta 45.</figcaption>
      </figure> <p>The United States Space Force (USSF) is the military's newest branch. It was founded on 20th December 2019. The USSF organises, trains, and equips space forces to protect the USA. The USSF helps the other branches by operating various programs like military satellite communications, GPS, etc.
The USSF was created as space has become so important to a country’s security that a separate military force is required for its defence.</p> <h5>What did we learn from this article?</h5>  <p>We learned about certain experiments that other nations are doing in space. Conducting such experiments is necessary to better the human race. Do you think India should also have its own space force? Please let us know in the comment section.
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The United States Space Force’s secret aircraft has recently landed on Earth after being in orbit for 2.5 years. Let’s read to find out more.

Secret US Spacecraft Lands After 908 Days in Orbit

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Secret US Spacecraft Lands After 908 Days in Orbit

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