West
Space Force's mysterious X-37B plane returns to Earth after 434 days in orbit
The United States Space Force’s secretive X-37B space plane touched down to earth on Friday after spending 434 days in orbit conducting mysterious tests.
The unmanned Boeing-made aircraft landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 2:22 a.m. EST having “broke new ground” by completing a range of test and experimentation objectives, the USSF said in a statement.
The space plane was launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida by SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Rocket in 2023 in what was its seventh mission. The aircraft is solar-powered, reusable and operated remotely. Space.com noted that most of its payloads remain classified.
The United States Space Force’s secretive X-37B space plane completed its seventh mission on Friday. (Space Force)
AIR FORCE’S MYSTERIOUS X-37B SPACE PLANE RETURNS TO EARTH AFTER RECORD-BREAKING 780 DAYS IN ORBIT
Space Force said the tests while in a highly elliptical orbit demonstrated the aircraft’s “robust maneuver capability.”
The technique involves using the drag caused by the Earth’s atmosphere to change its orbit more efficiently while expending minimal fuel, Space Force said.
While in orbit, Mission 7 tested “space domain awareness technology experiments” that aim to improve the United States Space Force’s knowledge of the space environment, the agency said.
After aerobraking to a low earth orbit and completing its test and experimentation objectives, Mission 7 successfully performed its deorbit and landing procedures.
The United States Space Force’s secretive X-37B space plane on the tarmac. (Space Force)
SECRETIVE US SPACE FORCE PLANE SHARES RARE PHOTO OF EARTH FROM ORBIT
“Mission 7 broke new ground by showcasing the X-37B’s ability to flexibly accomplish its test and experimentation objectives across orbital regimes.” Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations at Space Force, said in a statement.
“The successful execution of the aerobraking maneuver underscores Space Force’s commitment to pushing the bounds of novel space operations in a safe and responsible manner.”
Space Force shared several images of the aircraft after it touched down. In one image, a group of people in hazmat-like suits approach the secretive plane.
Lt. Col. Blaine Stewart, the X-37B program director, said that the mission marked a significant milestone in the ongoing development of the agency’s dynamic mission capability.
The United States Space Force’s secretive X-37B space plane (Space Force)
“Mission 7’s operation in a new orbital regime, its novel aerobraking maneuver, and its testing of space domain awareness experiments have written an exciting new chapter in the X-37B program,” Steward said.
Last month, Space Force shared a rare image of Earth while conducting experiments.
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Hawaii
Emergency crews treat unresponsive man aboard a vessel off Kaneohe
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Emergency crews responded to a medical incident offshore of Kualoa Regional Park Tuesday.
The Honolulu Ocean Safety Department said rescuers were called around 1:01 p.m. for an unresponsive adult man aboard a vessel about 10 miles offshore in Kaneohe waters.
Crews met the vessel near Mokolii, also known as Chinaman’s Hat, where a lifeguard boarded and began CPR and oxygen treatment.
The man was transported to Kualoa Regional Park, where Honolulu Emergency Medical Services took over care and continued advanced treatment.
No additional information about the man’s condition was immediately available.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Idaho
Virtual fencing study targets public land grazing conflicts | University of Idaho
Researchers hope the project will provide a case study demonstrating that much of the permanent interior fencing could be removed from federal grazing allotments and be effectively replaced with virtual fencing.
The first season of the planned two-year study started in mid-April and will conclude in October. The Foundation for America’s Public Lands funded the project with a $235,000 grant.
Furthermore, the ability to track livestock movements via the collars will provide the team with insights into other research questions. The researchers want to use data from their collared cattle to better understand important animal traits and to assess different management approaches.
“We’ve seen that where cattle spend the most time is not where they’re doing most of their grazing,” Ellison said. “We’re starting to learn little things like that by evaluating the data we’ve collected so far.”
The research team also includes K. Scott Jensen, an area Extension educator specializing in rangeland management and livestock grazing; Hadley Dotts, a research associate; and three graduate students — Henning Krúger and Maxine Walas, master’s students in animal science, and Abigail McClaflin, who is pursuing a master’s in water resources.
Ellison began research using virtual fencing in 2023, when she started a project on federal grazing allotments through which a wildfire had burned the previous grazing season, and in subsequent years, combined targeted grazing with collared cattle and aerial herbicide spraying to control cheatgrass. The team also used the collars to keep cattle away from critical fish habitat during the spawning season.
Ellison is also the lead on a separate, $181,000 grant from the Foundation for America’s Public Lands also involving virtual fencing. The project, scheduled to begin in March 2027, will entail grazing collared cattle in strips along roadways to establish wildfire fuel breaks.
Montana
Montana Lottery Mega Millions, Big Sky Bonus results for May 5, 2026
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 5, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 5 drawing
12-22-50-51-55, Mega Ball: 10
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from May 5 drawing
03-06-12-18, Bonus: 11
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 5 drawing
14-20-23-30-55, Bonus: 02
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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Virtual fencing study targets public land grazing conflicts | University of Idaho
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