<p>A Space Force ship that went on a secret mission is back after carrying out mysterious tests in orbit. The Boeing-made X-37B vessel spent 434 days in orbit after being quietly launched by SpaceX in 2023 from NASA&rsquo;s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Friday morning.</p>
<p>The US Space Force released a statement, saying that it landed the unmanned spaceplane to exercise its rapid ability to launch and recover its systems across multiple sites. The X-37B was on Mission 7, and this was the first time it was launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket to a Highly Elliptical Orbit.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Mission 7 broke new ground by showcasing the X-37B&rsquo;s ability to flexibly accomplish its test and experimentation objectives across orbital regimens,&rdquo; Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said.</p>
<p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/chandrayaan-3-landing-site-statio-shiv-shakti-has-clues-to-ice-on-moon-8833219" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Chandrayaan 3 landing site Statio Shiv Shakti hints at mineable ice on moon</a></p>
<p>&ldquo;The successful execution of the aerobreaking manoeuvre underscores the US Space Force&rsquo;s commitment to pushing the bounds of novel space operation in a safe and responsible manner,&rdquo; he added.</p>
<p>While in orbit, the spaceplane conducted several tests and experiments aimed at demonstrating the X-37B&rsquo;s robust manoeuvre capability. The agency is working to create a versatile, reusable, and sustainable fleet for future projects.</p>
<h2><strong>Space Force trying to learn about space environment</strong></h2>
<p>The Space Force used the spaceplane to learn more about the space environment. It tested space domain awareness technology experiments while in orbit, which will help USSF conduct space operations at a time when the region is seeing a rise in the number of stakeholders.</p>
<p>The statement further informed that Mission 7 successfully performed its deorbit and landing procedures.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Calling the mission a significant milestone, X-37B Program Director, Lt. Col. Blaine Stewart, said, "Mission 7&rsquo;s operation in a new orbital regime, its novel aerobraking manoeuvre, and its testing of space domain awareness experiments have written an exciting new chapter in the X-37B program."</p>

World Trending | Space is becoming a competitive arena with several countries vying to conquer it. The Space Force used the spaceplane to learn more about the space environment.

A Space Force ship that went on a secret mission is back after carrying out mysterious tests in orbit. The Boeing-made X-37B vessel spent 434 days in orbit after being quietly launched by SpaceX in 2023 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Friday morning. The US Space Force released a statement, saying that it landed the unmanned spaceplane to exercise its rapid ability to launch and recover its systems across multiple sites. The X-37B was on Mission 7, and this was the first time it was launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket to a Highly Elliptical Orbit. “Mission 7 broke new ground by showcasing the X-37B’s ability to flexibly accomplish its test and experimentation objectives across orbital regimens,” Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said. Also Read: Chandrayaan 3 landing site Statio Shiv Shakti hints at mineable ice on moon “The successful execution of the aerobreaking manoeuvre underscores the US Space Force’s commitment to pushing the bounds of novel space operation in a safe and responsible manner,” he added. While in orbit, the spaceplane conducted several tests and experiments aimed at demonstrating the X-37B’s robust manoeuvre capability. The agency is working to create a versatile, reusable, and sustainable fleet for future projects. Space Force trying to learn about space environment The Space Force used the spaceplane to learn more about the space environment. It tested space domain awareness technology experiments while in orbit, which will help USSF conduct space operations at a time when the region is seeing a rise in the number of stakeholders. The statement further informed that Mission 7 successfully performed its deorbit and landing procedures. Calling the mission a significant milestone, X-37B Program Director, Lt. Col. Blaine Stewart, said, "Mission 7’s operation in a new orbital regime, its novel aerobraking manoeuvre, and its testing of space domain awareness experiments have written an exciting new chapter in the X-37B program."

Spaceplane secretly launched by SpaceX returns after 434 days. What did it do?

<p>The newly founded United States Space Force recently unveiled its uniform. The colour of choice has stirred a debacle on social media, BBC reported.</p>

<h6><img alt="ooo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bf7fb912-96dd-4181-96d0-3cbd1ca3230a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_36.jpg" /><br />
<em>Image: The uniform of United States Space Force | Courtesy: Twitter handle @SpaceForceDoD</em><br />
&nbsp;</h6>

<p>As apparent in the image, the uniform has a camouflage design with badges embroidered on the arm and chest.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The first <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpaceForce?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpaceForce</a> utility uniform nametapes have touched down in the<br />
Pentagon. <a href="https://twitter.com/EsperDoD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EsperDoD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SecAFOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecAFOfficial</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceForceCSO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceForceCSO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GenDaveGoldfein?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GenDaveGoldfein</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DeptofDefense?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeptofDefense</a><a href="https://twitter.com/usairforce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usairforce</a> <a href="https://t.co/Jvzt5bvNl7">pic.twitter.com/Jvzt5bvNl7</a></p>
— United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceForceDoD/status/1218335200964464650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The most common reaction to the uniform went along the lines of ''camo in space?''<br />
<br />
A user on Twitter went as far as asking, "Have they never seen space before?"</p>

<p>Camouflage is usually chosen by ground military operations to help them blend into their surroundings without being accosted by their enemies, another user implied.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Really disappointed with the green.<br />
<br />
Surely a pattern like this would have given more camouflage in space. <a href="https://t.co/A1eAJkSk1e">https://t.co/A1eAJkSk1e</a> <a href="https://t.co/7lUGAyRqTD">pic.twitter.com/7lUGAyRqTD</a></p>
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) <a href="https://twitter.com/newschambers/status/1218455671189970944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The Force responded to the critique and said that it was "utilising current Army/Air Force uniforms" and "saving costs of designing/producing a new one".</p>

<p>"Members will look like the joint counterparts they'll be working with, on the ground," the force added.</p>

<p>However, this affirmation did little to calm down the Twitterati.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Donald Trump has unveiled the US Space Force camouflage uniform. Spot the problem. <a href="https://t.co/2YJgfoZF4n">pic.twitter.com/2YJgfoZF4n</a></p>
— James Melville (@JamesMelville) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesMelville/status/1218809681377972225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Donald Trump had officially launched the US Space Force at an army base near Washington in December 2019.</p>

<p>Referring to space as ''the world's newest war-fighting domain'', Trump said the force would help ''deter aggression''.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I know this is hard to understand, but on the left there is a picture of camouflage and on the right there is a picture of space. Study these carefully until you can see the difference. <a href="https://t.co/7HhAeHRyrm">pic.twitter.com/7HhAeHRyrm</a></p>
— JRehling (@JRehling) <a href="https://twitter.com/JRehling/status/1218387128465256448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>However, the title of the force is misleading, for it is not envisaged to put troops into orbit. Instead, the force is expected to protect United States assets like satellites which facilitate communication and surveillance.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">USSF is utilizing current Army/Air Force uniforms, saving costs of designing/producing a new one.<br />
<br />
Members will look like their joint counterparts they’ll be working with, on the ground.</p>
— United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceForceDoD/status/1218431457154088960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The force's first secretary Barbara Barrett had earlier claimed that the newly orchestrated Space Force would have 16,000 air force and civilian personnel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Donald Trump's administration has allotted $40 million to maintain and fund the force in its pilot year.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-space-force-donald-trump-creates-new-warfare-service-branch-of-pentagon-269433">United States Space Force: Donald Trump creates new warfare service branch of Pentagon</a></p>


The newly founded United States Space Force recently unveiled its uniform. The colour of choice has stirred a debacle on social media, BBC reported. Image: The uniform of United States Space Force | Courtesy: Twitter handle @SpaceForceDoD As apparent in the image, the uniform has a camouflage design with badges embroidered on the arm and chest.

The newly founded United States Space Force recently unveiled its uniform. The colour of choice has stirred a debacle on social media, BBC reported. Image: The uniform of United States Space Force | Courtesy: Twitter handle @SpaceForceDoD As apparent in the image, the uniform has a camouflage design with badges embroidered on the arm and chest. The first #SpaceForce utility uniform nametapes have touched down in the Pentagon. @EsperDoD @SecAFOfficial @SpaceForceCSO @GenDaveGoldfein @DeptofDefense@usairforce pic.twitter.com/Jvzt5bvNl7 — United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) January 18, 2020 × The most common reaction to the uniform went along the lines of ''camo in space?'' A user on Twitter went as far as asking, "Have they never seen space before?" Camouflage is usually chosen by ground military operations to help them blend into their surroundings without being accosted by their enemies, another user implied. Really disappointed with the green. Surely a pattern like this would have given more camouflage in space. https://t.co/A1eAJkSk1e pic.twitter.com/7lUGAyRqTD — Richard Chambers (@newschambers) January 18, 2020 × The Force responded to the critique and said that it was "utilising current Army/Air Force uniforms" and "saving costs of designing/producing a new one". "Members will look like the joint counterparts they'll be working with, on the ground," the force added. However, this affirmation did little to calm down the Twitterati. Donald Trump has unveiled the US Space Force camouflage uniform. Spot the problem. pic.twitter.com/2YJgfoZF4n — James Melville (@JamesMelville) January 19, 2020 × Donald Trump had officially launched the US Space Force at an army base near Washington in December 2019. Referring to space as ''the world's newest war-fighting domain'', Trump said the force would help ''deter aggression''. I know this is hard to understand, but on the left there is a picture of camouflage and on the right there is a picture of space. Study these carefully until you can see the difference. pic.twitter.com/7HhAeHRyrm — JRehling (@JRehling) January 18, 2020 × However, the title of the force is misleading, for it is not envisaged to put troops into orbit. Instead, the force is expected to protect United States assets like satellites which facilitate communication and surveillance. USSF is utilizing current Army/Air Force uniforms, saving costs of designing/producing a new one. Members will look like their joint counterparts they’ll be working with, on the ground. — United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) January 18, 2020 × The force's first secretary Barbara Barrett had earlier claimed that the newly orchestrated Space Force would have 16,000 air force and civilian personnel. Donald Trump's administration has allotted $40 million to maintain and fund the force in its pilot year. Also read: United States Space Force: Donald Trump creates new warfare service branch of Pentagon

US Space Force unveils camouflage uniform, gets trolled on Twitter

<p>US President Donald Trump on Friday created the newest military service&nbsp;since the US Air Force came into being in 1947 by signing the National Defense Authorization Act into law.</p>

<p>Eyeing combat in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-says-death-greatly-exaggerated-to-adopt-new-strategies-on-space-china-263436">outer space</a>, the US Air Force Space Command has created this designated '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-establishes-us-space-command-in-counter-to-china-russia-threats-246507">the United States Space Force</a>', a step that Trump administration officials are touting as a historic step.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-chinas-plans-to-disrupt-gps-through-asat-in-2020-beyond-206321"><strong>In pics: How China plans to disrupt GPS through ASAT in 2020 &amp; beyond</strong></a></p>

<p>This new force will be a coequal service of the five existing forces of the United States — the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.</p>

<p>Capping an ambitious order Trump issued in June 2018, the US Space Force officially came into being when Trump signed the annual military budget, the $738 billion National Defense Authorization Act.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Our reliance on space-based capabilities has grown dramatically, and today outer space has evolved into a war-fighting domain of its own," said Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Maintaining American dominance in that domain is now the mission of the United States Space Force."</p>

<p>The new organization builds on the US Space Command, already operating under the Air Force since it was created in August.</p>

<p>And, like the Marines, which operate within the umbrella of the Navy, the Space Force will be under the Air Force.</p>

<p>The Space Command will focus on warfighting — akin to the Pentagon's regional commands like CentCom — while the Space Force will encompass broader missions like training, procurement, long-term planning and other functions.</p>

<p>The Space Force will be comprised of about 16,000 Air Force and civilian personnel, some already taking part in the Space Command, according to Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett.</p>

<p>It will have its uniform, shoulder patches and even, eventually, its song, just like the other branches.</p>

<p>"The US Space Force will protect America's national interests by its singular focus on space. The United States has the best space acumen in the world," Barrett said.</p>

<p>A staff of 16,000 would make it much smaller than the other forces, but Barrett said the technology-centric nature of the work requires fewer people.</p>

<p>"It's a different sort of portfolio than what we might be thinking of when we generally think about warfighting machines," she said.</p>

<p>Leading the Space Force will be Air Force General Jay Raymond, who currently runs SpaceCom.</p>

<p>"With the establishment of the United States Space Force, we're elevating space commensurate with its importance to our national security and the security of our allies and our partners," said Raymond.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from AFP)</em></p>


US President Donald Trump on Friday created the newest military service since the US Air Force came into being in 1947 by signing the National Defense Authorization Act into law.

US President Donald Trump on Friday created the newest military service since the US Air Force came into being in 1947 by signing the National Defense Authorization Act into law. Eyeing combat in outer space, the US Air Force Space Command has created this designated 'the United States Space Force', a step that Trump administration officials are touting as a historic step. In pics: How China plans to disrupt GPS through ASAT in 2020 & beyond This new force will be a coequal service of the five existing forces of the United States — the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Capping an ambitious order Trump issued in June 2018, the US Space Force officially came into being when Trump signed the annual military budget, the $738 billion National Defense Authorization Act. "Our reliance on space-based capabilities has grown dramatically, and today outer space has evolved into a war-fighting domain of its own," said Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. "Maintaining American dominance in that domain is now the mission of the United States Space Force." The new organization builds on the US Space Command, already operating under the Air Force since it was created in August. And, like the Marines, which operate within the umbrella of the Navy, the Space Force will be under the Air Force. The Space Command will focus on warfighting — akin to the Pentagon's regional commands like CentCom — while the Space Force will encompass broader missions like training, procurement, long-term planning and other functions. The Space Force will be comprised of about 16,000 Air Force and civilian personnel, some already taking part in the Space Command, according to Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett. It will have its uniform, shoulder patches and even, eventually, its song, just like the other branches. "The US Space Force will protect America's national interests by its singular focus on space. The United States has the best space acumen in the world," Barrett said. A staff of 16,000 would make it much smaller than the other forces, but Barrett said the technology-centric nature of the work requires fewer people. "It's a different sort of portfolio than what we might be thinking of when we generally think about warfighting machines," she said. Leading the Space Force will be Air Force General Jay Raymond, who currently runs SpaceCom. "With the establishment of the United States Space Force, we're elevating space commensurate with its importance to our national security and the security of our allies and our partners," said Raymond. (With inputs from AFP)

United States Space Force: Donald Trump creates new warfare service branch of Pentagon

united-states-space-force

United States Space Force, News on United States Space Force, stories on United States Space Force, articles on United States Space Force, United States Space Force stories at Wion, United States Space Force news, United States Space Force latest news

united states-space-force

Spaceplane secretly launched by SpaceX returns after 434 days. What did it do?

US Space Force unveils camouflage uniform, gets trolled on Twitter

United States Space Force: Donald Trump creates new warfare service branch of Pentagon