This is NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center's image which I have edited. The X 37 was a project initiated in 1999 by NASA. It is one of two prototypes designed by NASA. It was constructed by Boeing and is owned and operated by the US Air Force. The X 37 is a smaller version of the space shuttle which is launched in a large capsule on top of the Atlas V Rocket. The X 37 is 29 feet long and 15 feet wide, about 22% the size of the space shuttle, much less expensive and safer. It is unmanned and remote controlled. The longest mission so far 469 days in orbit.