FLYING OBJECT

Unmanned Space Plane Lands

Air Force vehicle touches down in CA.

After 15 months in outer space, an unmanned space craft developed by the Air Force came softly back to Earth on Saturday, landing in California. The X-37B, a space vehicle about which the government and military have said little to date, is the second such craft to enter space and return as part of the Air Force’s program. “The return capability allows the Air Force to test new technologies without the same risk commitment faced by other programs,” Col. Tom McIntyre, manager of the X-37B program, told the Associated Press. “We’re proud of the entire team’s successful efforts to bring this mission to an outstanding conclusion.” The military is using its two X-37B vehicles to test space technologies, including a classified cargo about which little is known.