Image Source: Agencies

Aug 22, 2025: On Thursday night, a third US military mini-shuttle took off to carry out secret space experiments. Launched by SpaceX, the space plane with no one aboard took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It's the eighth such flight for the test vehicles known as X-37B. This one will test laser communications and safe navigation without GPS, according to the US Space Force.

It's not yet clear how long the mini-shuttle will remain aloft. The last X-37B circled the globe for a little over a year before returning to Earth in March. Previous missions have lasted months to years.

The reusable spacecraft, which are 9 meters long and have a wingspan of almost 4.5 meters, were first launched in 2010. They are made by Boeing.