X-37B Space Plane: US Air Force's 4th Mystery Mission in Photos

By Space.com Staff
published

Mystery Space Plane to Launch May 20

ULA

The Air Force's AFSPC-5 payload inside a 5-meter diameter payload fairing undergoes mating to an Atlas V booster inside the Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space in Florida. Launch is set for May 20, 2015.

AFSPC-5 Payload Mating Distant View

ULA

The Air Force's AFSPC-5 payload inside a 5-meter diameter payload fairing undergoes mating to an Atlas V booster inside the Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space in Florida. Launch is set for May 20, 2015.

AFSPC-5 Payload Encapsulation

ULA

The Air Force's AFSPC-5 payload, encapsulated inside a 5-meter diameter payload fairing, is mated to an Atlas V booster inside the Vertical Integration Facility or VIF at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex-41. Launch is set for May 20, 2015.

AFSPC-5 Payload Encapsulation High Angle

ULA

The Air Force's AFSPC-5 payload inside a 5-meter diameter payload fairing undergoes mating to an Atlas V booster inside the Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space in Florida. Launch is set for May 20, 2015.

AFSPC-5 Payload Encapsulation Looking Out

ULA

The Air Force's AFSPC-5 payload inside a 5-meter diameter payload fairing undergoes mating to an Atlas V booster inside the Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space in Florida. Launch is set for May 20, 2015.

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Space.com Staff
Space.com Staff
News and editorial team

Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor.