SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, the highly secretive rocket, blasted into space carrying the US military's clandestine X-37B drone to a research mission.&nbsp;

The eagerly anticipated lift-off happened after weeks of delays. It unfolded at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:07 pm Eastern Time (0107 GMT Friday). A real-time live stream of the launch was shared on SpaceX's website.

<h2>Where is the spacecraft headed?</h2>

A veil of secrecy surrounds the uncrewed and autonomously functioning X-37B spacecraft, and it is unknown where exactly it is headed on its seventh mission.

The Pentagon has shared minimal insights into the spacecraft and its latest endeavours. Initially, it was scheduled for launch on December 7.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/rewind-2023-straight-out-of-science-fiction-moments-from-this-year-674373">Rewind 2023: Moments this year that seemed straight out of science fiction</a>

In&nbsp;its statement, SpaceX only referred to it by the Pentagon's mission code name — USSF-52, and said "Falcon Heavy launched the USSF-52 mission to orbit from Launch Complex 39A."

<h2>What do we know about the heavily secret mission?</h2>

While the Pentagon remains tight-lipped about the specifics, it did disclose that the X-37B's seventh mission involves "multiple cutting-edge experiments."&nbsp;

Last month, the US Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office in a statement said: "These tests include operating the reusable spaceplane in new orbital regimes, experimenting with future space domain awareness technologies, and investigating the radiation effects on materials provided by NASA."

Significantly, this marks the first time the X-37B has hitched a ride on the Falcon Heavy, renowned as one of the most powerful operational rockets, capable of ferrying payloads up to 26,700 kilogrammes (around 58,900 pounds) into the depths of space.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/isro-new-year-gift-xposat-will-lift-off-on-january-1-will-study-black-holes-674375">ISRO’s New Year’s gift: XPoSat will lift-off on January 1, will study black holes</a>

As per AFP, the X-37B US space drone resembles a downsized version of the now-retired manned space shuttles and has dimensions akin to a small bus. With a length of 30 feet (nine meters) and a wingspan of 15 feet (4.57 m), it harnesses solar panels for propulsion. Previous missions of the X-37B have involved conducting tests for NASA, including an exploration of the impact of radiation on seeds and other materials.

The Falcon Heavy's launch comes just two weeks after China deployed its enigmatic robotic space plane, Shenlong on December 14.&nbsp;

According to China's state news agency, Xinhua, "During this period, reusable technology verification and space science experiments will be carried out as planned to provide technical support for the peaceful use of space."

(With inputs from agencies)

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, the highly secretive rocket, blasted into space carrying the US military's clandestine X-37B drone to a research mission. The eagerly anticipated lift-off happened after weeks of delays.

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, the highly secretive rocket, blasted into space carrying the US military's clandestine X-37B drone to a research mission. The eagerly anticipated lift-off happened after weeks of delays. It unfolded at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:07 pm Eastern Time (0107 GMT Friday). A real-time live stream of the launch was shared on SpaceX's website. Where is the spacecraft headed? A veil of secrecy surrounds the uncrewed and autonomously functioning X-37B spacecraft, and it is unknown where exactly it is headed on its seventh mission. The Pentagon has shared minimal insights into the spacecraft and its latest endeavours. Initially, it was scheduled for launch on December 7. Also read | Rewind 2023: Moments this year that seemed straight out of science fiction In its statement, SpaceX only referred to it by the Pentagon's mission code name — USSF-52, and said "Falcon Heavy launched the USSF-52 mission to orbit from Launch Complex 39A." What do we know about the heavily secret mission? While the Pentagon remains tight-lipped about the specifics, it did disclose that the X-37B's seventh mission involves "multiple cutting-edge experiments." Last month, the US Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office in a statement said: "These tests include operating the reusable spaceplane in new orbital regimes, experimenting with future space domain awareness technologies, and investigating the radiation effects on materials provided by NASA." Significantly, this marks the first time the X-37B has hitched a ride on the Falcon Heavy, renowned as one of the most powerful operational rockets, capable of ferrying payloads up to 26,700 kilogrammes (around 58,900 pounds) into the depths of space. Also read | ISRO’s New Year’s gift: XPoSat will lift-off on January 1, will study black holes As per AFP, the X-37B US space drone resembles a downsized version of the now-retired manned space shuttles and has dimensions akin to a small bus. With a length of 30 feet (nine meters) and a wingspan of 15 feet (4.57 m), it harnesses solar panels for propulsion. Previous missions of the X-37B have involved conducting tests for NASA, including an exploration of the impact of radiation on seeds and other materials. The Falcon Heavy's launch comes just two weeks after China deployed its enigmatic robotic space plane, Shenlong on December 14. According to China's state news agency, Xinhua, "During this period, reusable technology verification and space science experiments will be carried out as planned to provide technical support for the peaceful use of space." (With inputs from agencies)

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy spacecraft takes off with highly secretive US military drone

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, the world's most powerful active rocket, was launched into space for the first time since 2019 on Tuesday. The launch took place at&nbsp;Florida's Cape Canaveral as the mission was carried out by the company owned by billionaire Elon Musk with the help of the US Space Force.&nbsp;

This was the first time that the US Space Force used the rocket since the branch of the military was created by former president Donald Trump to monitor the country’s defence missions in space.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/windfall-of-war-energy-firms-report-bumper-profits-as-millions-continue-to-struggle-530281" hreflang="en">'Windfall of war': Energy firms report bumper profits as millions struggle</a>

The Falcon Heavy was first used back in 2018 when it carried a red sports car made by Tesla to space as part of a trial run. It was also used to send a TV and phone service satellite&nbsp;to orbit for Saudi Arabia-based Arabsat and the final mission included the transport of experimental satellites for the US&nbsp;Department of Defence. However, it has been inactive since June 2019, according to Reuters.&nbsp;

According to the official statement released by the US military’s Space Systems Command, the launch went completely according to the plan and all three boosters detached themselves perfectly.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cases-declining-but-monkeypox-remains-a-global-health-emergency-who-530295" hreflang="en">Cases declining but Monkeypox remains a 'global health emergency': WHO</a>

While the authorities provided most of the information regarding the launch, the exact nature of the mission was not revealed. In the statement,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Space Systems Command said that it will be launching multiple satellites into orbit which will help the military in strengthening its tracking capabilities.&nbsp;

Space X has been working closely with the US military as the government looks to increase the number of orbiting satellites used for surveillance purposes. The other major partner for the military is United Launch Alliance, which is a joint operation between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, the world's most powerful active rocket, was launched into space for the first time since 2019 on Tuesday. The launch took place at Florida's Cape Canaveral as the mission was carried out by the company owned by billionaire Elon Musk with the help of the US Space Force.

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, the world's most powerful active rocket, was launched into space for the first time since 2019 on Tuesday. The launch took place at Florida's Cape Canaveral as the mission was carried out by the company owned by billionaire Elon Musk with the help of the US Space Force. This was the first time that the US Space Force used the rocket since the branch of the military was created by former president Donald Trump to monitor the country’s defence missions in space. Also read | 'Windfall of war': Energy firms report bumper profits as millions struggle The Falcon Heavy was first used back in 2018 when it carried a red sports car made by Tesla to space as part of a trial run. It was also used to send a TV and phone service satellite to orbit for Saudi Arabia-based Arabsat and the final mission included the transport of experimental satellites for the US Department of Defence. However, it has been inactive since June 2019, according to Reuters. According to the official statement released by the US military’s Space Systems Command, the launch went completely according to the plan and all three boosters detached themselves perfectly. Also read | Cases declining but Monkeypox remains a 'global health emergency': WHO While the authorities provided most of the information regarding the launch, the exact nature of the mission was not revealed. In the statement, the Space Systems Command said that it will be launching multiple satellites into orbit which will help the military in strengthening its tracking capabilities. Space X has been working closely with the US military as the government looks to increase the number of orbiting satellites used for surveillance purposes. The other major partner for the military is United Launch Alliance, which is a joint operation between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket completes launch after three-year hiatus

SpaceX launched its largest rocket with 24 research satellites Tuesday, middle-of-the-night rideshare featuring a deep space atomic clock, solar sail, a 'clean and green' rocket fuel testbed, and even human ashes. It was the third flight of a Falcon Heavy rocket, but the first ordered by the military.

SpaceX launches hefty rocket with 24 satellites