AIR FORCE'S X-37B EXPERIMENTAL ORBITER TO HAVE MISSION EXTENDED

The Air Force is extending the X-37B orbiter, a billion dollar robotic space vehicle, beyond the 270 days it was initially designed for. While the Air Force has stated that the vehicle is meant only for conducting orbital science experiments, analysts say the X-37B is capable of much more, and could perform additional tasks such as acting as an orbital spy, sneaking up on and tampering with enemy satellites or hauling small batches of supplies to the International Space Station. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that the X-37B could stay in orbit for that much longer. Although the Air Force said last year that the X-37B could last nine months above the heavens before its power and fuel ran out, an inside source commented that "it sips power and fuel like a Prius."

LAST SPACE SHUTTLE, ATLANTIS, TOUCHES DOWN SAFELY IN FLORIDA

The Atlantis has touched down successfully at runway 15 at Kennedy Space Center bringing and end to an era in space flight. Crewmembers Chris Ferguson, Doug Hurley, Sandy Magnus, and Rex Walheim are back on our planet and, traveling at speeds decidedly slower than escape velocity, can officially put a cap onto this historic series of space missions that we, at least, will never forget. In the words of NASA: "Job well done, America."