It’s official, the sixth mission of the Boeing X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-6) is set to be launched on May 16 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida by the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office in partnership with the U.S. Space Force. No details about the mission were mentioned, but it aims to test new systems in space and return them to Earth to help the U.S. more efficiently and effectively develop space capabilities necessary to maintain superiority in the space domain.
One thing we do know is that this will be the first X-37B mission to use a service module to host experiments, or in other words, an attachment to the aft of the vehicle that allows additional experimental payload capability to be carried to orbit.
- Build a large multi-stage rocket and opening launch control tower with interactive play experience, plus a monorail system to transport astronauts from the tower to the training grounds and rocket!
- Includes 6 LEGO City minifigures: 2 astronauts, 2 scientists, Launch Director, ground crew technician and a robot figure, plus a space telescope, rover with articulated arm and a launchpad
- Rocket standing measures over 16” (42cm) high, 4” (11cm) wide and 2” (6cm) deep Launch Control closed measures over 7” (18cm) high, 5” (13cm) wide and 5” (13cm) deep Launchpad with closed tower arms measures over 9” (24cm) high, 4” (12cm) wide and 4” (12cm) deep Monorail track measures over 3” (8cm) high,14” (36cm) long and 18” (47cm) wide
The X-37B team continues to exemplify the kind of lean, agile and forward-leaning technology development we need as a nation in the space domain. Each launch represents a significant milestone and advancement in terms of how we build, test, and deploy space capabilities in a rapid and responsive manner,” said U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations, Gen. John ‘Jay’ Raymond.
