Are there weapons aboard? U.S. Air Force space shuttle's secret contents no longer a secret

Much of the space shuttles contents are for testing purposes.

The U.S. Air Force's X-37B space shuttle, launched into Earth's orbit, was revealed not to contain weapons as many feared.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - According to the published manifest, the space shuttle carries a new form of Hall ion-powered thruster, ten CubeSats, a satellite containing a TCP/IP web server, test equipment for plasma thrusters and a device to control low-orbital vehicles, among other gizmos, according to The Register.

In the manifest, the Air Force claims they are trying to test the efficiency of the new ion thruster owned by the Air Force Research Laboratory.

"Space is so vitally important to everything we do. A more efficient on-orbit thruster capability is huge. Less fuel burn lowers the cost to get up there, plus it enhances spacecraft operational flexibility, survivability and longevity," said AFRL commander Major General Tom Masiello.

There is still no clear statement on how long the test will run, but the X-37B had already been tested capable to last for a very long period, with a record 674-day space visit that ended last year.

Ten miniscule CubeSats were also aboard the spacecraft, one of which was developed by the nonprofit Planetary Society. Dubbed the LightSail, the solar sail will be tested in order to determine the next step for the solar sailing technology to be used in more ambitious outer space orbital missions.

According to the report, Planetary Society is aiming to launch a larger version next year, complete with a controller and ability to fly to the moon and back.

Meanwhile, the TCP/IP web server included was funded by the CIA, testing whether data networking will pursue out of the orbit. The Naval Academy hardware will be testing out the miniature plasma thrusters, according to the outlet, while a bigger AFRL device will be launched to control lob-orbital vehicles.

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