The US Air Force is set to carry out the first test of its experimental robotic "space plane" with a launch scheduled for Thursday.
The X-37B was transported to a launch pad Wednesday at Cape Canaveral, Florida. If all goes as planned, it will be launched into space aboard a rocket before engaging in a flight of an undetermined duration, dpa reported.
The Air Force has kept the details of the mission and its ultimate purpose secret, but said Thursday's flight is designed to test the drone's systems.
The unmanned plane will complete its flight with a landing at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The X-37B is designed for space missions of up to 270 days in low orbit, the Air Force said.
The plane resembles a small space shuttle, but is not designed to carry humans. It's wingspan is a mere 4.5 metres with a length of 8.9 metres, the Air Force said. It is powered through batteries and solar cells.
The X-37B is intended to be a reusable vehicle for access into space. The launch on Thursday will be a test of its advanced, autonomous guidance systems, avionics and high-temperature resistant structures and seals.
The X-37 programme began in 1999 under NASA and has floated around with other government agencies before being adopted by the Air Force.
The nine-minute launch window begins at 2352 GMT Thursday, Air Force Major Angie Blair said. Planned launches earlier this week were postponed as Cape Canaveral awaited the return of the space shuttle Discovery, Blair said.
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