X-37B is a drone that the military has been using ever since 2010. In its past missions the drone has tested the impact of radiation on seeds along with other subjects.
Designed for the Air Force by the United Launch Alliance, it is 30 feet long and has a 15-foot wingspan which is powered by solar panels.
How does this relate?
SpaceX's Falcon Heavy was launched into space on Thursday night to escort the X-37B on a research mission. The rocket launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:07 pm EST on a live stream.
The Pentagon has released little information about the mission and where it's headed. On launch, SpaceX only mentioned its code name, USSF - 52.
The Pentagon stated the mission would entail "multiple cutting-edge experiments."
This is the first time the X-37B is lifting off with Falcon Heavy, which is one of the most powerful functional rockets. The Falcon Heavy has the capability of carrying up to over 58,000 pounds into space.