[UPDATE] SpaceX Delays Launch of Military's Secretive X-37B Spacecraft Due to Ground Side Issues

SpaceX has again delayed the launch of its Falcon Heavy rocket that is supposed to carry the secretive X-37B robotic spacecraft for the military.

The launch is now scheduled for Tuesday evening and marks the most recent delay in the latest mission of a mysterious space plane. It is considered one of the United States military's most fascinating projects as the nation continues its race to journey deeper into the universe.

SpaceX Delays X-37B Launch

The robotic spacecraft was supposed to take off onboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket at 8:14 p.m. ET from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday. However, the company later revealed that it was pushing back the schedule "due to a ground-side issue." This indicated a problem with the rocket's launchpad or fueling systems.

SpaceX also noted that it was working toward lifting off the rocket and the spacecraft at the next available launch opportunity, which is Tuesday at 8:14 p.m. ET. The reusable X-37B space plane resembles a miniature NASA space shuttle with the windows blacked out and is set to start its seventh experimental mission, as per CNN.

Many of the secretive plane's tasks have been classified but the U.S. Space Force did provide a few details about the goals for the uncrewed mission. The military craft makes it possible for the U.S. to carry out experiments to better understand how to improve ongoing and upcoming space operations and push the boundaries of what is possible.

Among the research that will be conducted onboard the spacecraft will be a NASA experiment that seeks to find ways to sustain astronauts on future deep-space missions. These are called Seeds-2 and will "expose plant seeds to the harsh radiation environment of long-duration spaceflight" while building on previous research.

The military's experimental missions also include operating the reusable space plane in new orbital regimes, experimenting with future space domain awareness technologies, and investigating the radiation effects on materials that NASA provides.

Mysterious Military Spacecraft

The X-37B spacecraft made its debut more than a decade ago and has since been a point of intrigue within the space community. This is mostly due to its mysterious activities in low Earth orbit. While the true nature of its purpose or location is unknown, skywatchers have occasionally spotted and photographed the craft, according to NBC News.

The last mission of the military's spacecraft was launched onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and prior to that, it went into space five times on United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rockets. The Falcon Heavy booster has significantly more power than both of the previous rockets.

The use of the more powerful Falcon Heavy rocket may also be due to mass as the X-37B features a cargo bay that can house equipment and experiments. It could be carrying a secondary mission payload that would require the added lift capability.

With each successive mission, the X-37B spends longer in space as the most recent one lasted 908 days. That particular mission was known as OTV-6 and came back to Earth in November 2022, said Space.

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Spacex, Military, X-37B, Spacecraft