Secret US spaceplane blasts off on higher-orbit mission as rivalry with China heats up

The United States Space Force has launched a new advanced robot spaceplane in the wake of a rival launch by China. 

The secretive X-37B aircraft blasted off from Cape Canaveral, for the first time being mounted on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

The mission follows a recent space launch by China, which Space Force General B Chance Saltzman described as a "competitive move" against the X-37B.

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The Pentagon has given few details about the secret spaceplane or how high it can travel into orbit.

The mission is believed to be another step in the America-China space rivalry.

However, industry analysts and amateur space trackers believe the X-37B could be bound for a highly elliptical orbit around the planet. It is also speculated that it could travel in the vicinity of the Moon.

X-37B's mission is expected to last until 2026.

The secret spacecraft is believed to be carrying a Nasa experiment to study how plant seeds are affected by prolonged exposure to the harsh environment of radiation in space.

The ability to grow crops in space has major implications for keeping astronauts alive during future long-term missions to the Moon and Mars.

China sent its own Shenlong robot spaceplane into space two weeks ago. However, it is thought to be less powerful.