YouTuber flies spy plane built in secret 70,000 feet to the edge of space
This particular plane played a key role in the Cold War spy plane built
One aerospace enthusiast on YouTube has taken the next step by flying a secret US spy plane around 70,000 feet above Earth, seeing the edges of space in an aircraft that is over 70 years old.
You’d be almost always right in assuming that space travel is reserved for astronauts, as from the early Russian cosmonaut expeditions to recent ‘stranded’ missions, you’d typically need a rocket to reach the endless beyond.
What you might not realize though is that the US developed a secret spy plane over 70 years ago that not only was capable of reaching space, but played a key role in the advancement of the Cold War.
The U2 Dragon Lady was initially used during the Cold War to spy on Russian nuclear development, but is still in use today (YouTube/Sam Eckholm)
The Lockheed U-2 Spy Plane, otherwise known as ‘Dragon Lady’, was first approved in 1954, and took flight just a year later.
Its purpose was to allow the United States government to spy on Russian nuclear development, as they estimated that an altitude of around 70,000 feet would avoid any detection.
Unfortunately this wasn’t as successful as they might have hoped, as not only did the Russian government send America a notice indicating that they were aware of the planes, one was actually shot down by a surface-to-air missile, leading to the capture and imprisonment of Francis Gary Powers.
The U-2 has remained in service within the US Air Force and NASA to this day though, and one lucky YouTuber managed to hop in the cockpit and take it for a spin themselves – although the process wasn’t as simple as you might expect.Play
Sam Eckholm had to go through hours of pre-flight training, but the toughest parts were still yet to come. A key aspect of proving that you’re ready to fly the Dragon Lady is to adjust to the space suit, as it can provide an uncomfortable shock.
Eckholm had to pass a several-hour claustrophobia test where he was suited up and sat in a corner to see if he could withstand the uncomfortable experience.
“For me, one of the weirdest sensations in the suit was actually the breathing,” Eckholm explains. “For one, it’s super loud so you’re hearing every single breath you take in and every single breath you let out. Also, at the same time it’s sort of a conscious effort because there’s a little bit of resistance every time you exhale, you have to think about it.”
The suit itself is an essential part of the in-flight experience though, as it prevents a loss in pressurization that would boil your blood and lead to a quick and painful death.
The specialized space suit prevents death once you’re up in the air, and is thus an essential part of the process (YouTube/Sam Eckholm)
Once the training had been passed though Sam was ready to get up into the air, and upon reaching what’s known as the ‘space equivalent zone’ – around 70,000 feet – the views are simply staggering.
“If you look outside you can actually see the curvature of the Earth,” Sam exclaims. “So all the flat Earthers out there, I hate to burst your bubble, but take a look at that.”
Once you’re up in the air you can relax a little bit, enjoying either a spot of liquidized lunch or even jumping into some puzzles to pass the time, but you do also need to be careful of what’s known as the ‘coffin corner’ which can rip the plane’s wings apart if you go too fast.
After the relatively short flight was over though Eckholm could barely contain his excitement:
“If I had to sum up that experience I just had, I’m not sure you can really put it into words. Truly magnificent.”
It’s something that you have to be an expert to achieve, but there’s no doubt that it’s likely one of the most breathtaking things anyone will have the pleasure of doing.Featured Image Credit: Sam Eckholm / YouTube
Published 17:11 25 Feb 2025 GMT
Space Force shares mind-blowing image from top secret space plane for the first time in history
The space plane is used for secret missions
Rikki Loftus
The US Space Force has shared a mind blowing image from a top secret space plane for the first time in history. Space Force
The incredibly rare image marks the first time that a photo has been shared from the secretive spacecraft. Space Force
The photo was taken during a recent top secret mission and people are now able to catch a glimpse of how Earth looks from the spaceship, which is called spacecraft X-37B.
@SpaceForceDoD
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An X-37B onboard camera, used to ensure the health and safety of the vehicle, captures an image of Earth while conducting experiments in HEO in 2024.The X-37B executed a series of first-of-kind maneuvers, called aerobraking, to safely change its orbit using minimal fuel.
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Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the United States Space Force account wrote in a post: “An X-37B onboard camera, used to ensure the health and safety of the vehicle, captures an image of Earth while conducting experiments in HEO in 2024.The X-37B executed a series of first-of-kind maneuvers, called aerobraking, to safely change its orbit using minimal fuel.”
Along with a post, it shared the image which shows part of the plane and Earth in the middle, with the darkness of space behind it.
It is safe to say that people were shocked by the image, with many taking to the X comment section to share their reactions.
One user wrote: “WE HAVE SPACE PLANES?!”
Another said: “Approximately 13k-18k miles from Earth based on image resolution and comparative analysis of photos.”
A third commented: “Wow, you guys went way way way way beyond the orbit of the space station.
“Wish we could have a 24/7 webcam at that distance.”
A fourth said: “This is an incredibly high orbit. The X-37 space plane fleet continues to amaze!”
And a fifth person added: “These space force kids have the coolest toys.”
The space plane is involved in secret missions (DoD/Corbis via Getty Images)
The space plane is used for various missions, some of which being secretive, which includes using the spacecraft as an orbital test platform.
During its last mission, the X-37B set a new endurance record after spending 908 days in orbit, according to Boeing.
Prior to this, the spacecraft had spent a total of 780 consecutive days in orbit.
When returning to Earth, the space plane will land on the former space shuttle runway at the NASA Kennedy Space Center.
The runway is now known as the Launch and Landing Facility.
Although it’s strictly secret when the plane is scheduled to land, locals usually have a pretty good indicator on when X-37B is making its return to Earth.
This is because the loud sonic booms that it makes when it lands can be heard by residents of the Florida Space Coast.Featured Image Credit: X/@SpaceForceDoD
Published 12:47 18 Feb 2025 GMT
Shocking footage shows aftermath of Delta plane crash after it landed flipped upside-down
18 passengers were taken to hospital after the aircraft crash-landed on the runway
Rikki Loftus
Shocking footage has revealed the aftermath of the Delta plane crash after it landed flipped upside-down.
The aircraft crash-landed in Toronto, Canada, after traveling from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
People were shocked to see images of the plane upside-down on the runway after battling a windy snowstorm.
https://embed.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/1irtro3/delta_plane_crash_landed_in_toronto/?embed=true&ref_source=embed&ref=share&utm_medium=widgets&utm_source=embedv2&utm_term=23&utm_name=post_embed&embed_host_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uniladtech.com%2Fsocial-media%2Fyoutube%2Fyoutuber-flies-spy-plane-70000-feet-edge-space-474877-20250224
And now footage has been published on social media which shows passengers leaving the plane.
In a post on Reddit, one user shared the clip of the aircraft on the runway.
All 76 passengers and four crew that were on board survived the crash, with 18 people being taken to hospital.
Other users took to the Reddit comment section to share their reactions to the footage that was captured.
One person wrote: “As bad as this is, the fact the fuselage held up and everyone was able to get out alive speaks volumes to the engineering of the aircraft.”
Another said: “If no one is hurt, pretty clear reminder why it’s important to wear a seat belt on a plane.”
A third user commented: “Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing.”
This sparked a reply from a fourth person who wrote: “‘Great landing, guys!’
“Usually I like walking on the floor to exit the plane, but hey… ceiling is good too, I suppose. Good landing, gents.”
The flight crash-landed upside-down on the runway (Katherine KY Cheng/Getty Images)
And a fifth added: “I’m gonna have to start clapping when my plane lands now; since it’s apparently an achievement.”
Speaking to The Associated Press, John Cox, who is the CEO of aviation safety consulting firm Safety Operating Systems in St Petersburg, Florida, said: “We’ve seen a couple of cases of takeoffs where airplanes have ended up inverted, but it’s pretty rare.”
Deborah Flint, who is the CEO of Greater Toronto Airports Authority, spoke in a press conference where she said the people on board the crashed plane had ‘relatively minor injuries’.
She continued: “17 injured passengers were taken to local area hospitals. At this time, we do not know of any of those passengers having critical injuries.
“No airport CEO wants to have these types of press conferences but this is exactly what our emergency, our operations and our first responders are all practised and trained for,” she added.
“And again, this outcome is due in part to their heroic work and I thank them profusely.”
An 18th passenger has been taken to hospital since this news conference was held.
Ontario-based air ambulance service Ornge has also since revealed that a child, a man in his 60s and a woman in her 40s, are all critically injured.Featured Image Credit: Katherine KY Cheng/Getty Images
Published 10:58 20 Jun 2024 GMT+1
YouTuber spends a day in zero gravity trying to complete his daily routine to see if an ‘average person’ could live in space
He even played gravity-free ping pong.
Rikki Loftus
A man has spent a day living with zero gravity to see if it’s possible for average people to go about their daily lives in space.
YouTuber Jack Gordon documented his experiment for his viewers as he attempted to complete his daily routine without any gravity.
He filmed himself trying to brush his teeth and drink water while floating around a plane.Play
Talking to the camera, Gordon says: “I’m going to try to drink coffee with zero gravity. It was completely impossible. It just kept oozing out of the lid.”
Gordon goes on to try eating dinner, working out by doing a series of push-ups and even sleeping on a Zero G plane.
The aircraft is able to produce a gravity-free environment onboard for short bursts at a time by alternating upward and downward arcs in the flight.
It doesn’t come cheap and the YouTuber admits to his viewers that he spent a whopping $20,000 to hire the plane.
Jack Gordon played a game of zero gravity ping pong (YouTube/@JackGordon)
To get his money’s worth, Gordon attempts a game of gravity-free ping pong using water as a ball – a bizarre experiment which he reveals “actually worked”.
Baffled by his antics, people took to the YouTube comment section to share their views, with one user posting: “Nah this is actually so sick! Gotta play basketball next time.”
Another wrote: “That looks fun! My only question is how he disabled gravity.”
And a third added: “I literally clicked the video only to see how you did it without getting into orbit. Falling for 30 seconds at a time sounds like a legit solution lol.”
The YouTuber attempted to sleep without any gravity (YouTube/@JackGordon)
However, others were more critical of Gordon’s experiment, with one user commenting: “The fact that this is almost not even the same as being in space.”
And another added: “Planes don’t really make you fly like in space. You can stay still in space unlike on a plane where you’d get “pushed” or “moved” around.”
While the gravity-free life is likely to be calmer in space, it’s certainly something the average person would need to adjust to, and ending his flight, Gordon plans to keep his feet on solid ground by taking a much needed break at the beach.
Zero-gravity in the plane is likely a different experience than in space (VICTOR HABBICK VISIONS/Getty)
Ending his video, Gordon said: “I honestly find it so interesting that nobody actually knows why gravity exists. I don’t know for myself but what I do know is that we need to be thankful for it because life would be so uncomfortable without gravity.
“But to answer the question, no, the average person apparently cannot live in space.”Featured Image Credit: Jack Gordon/YouTube
Published 13:16 24 Feb 2025 GMT
YouTuber shared his Netflix password with 841,709 people and the result was chaos
His Netflix homepage went berserk
Rebekah Jordan
Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown just met its biggest challenge yet, thanks to one YouTuber who shared their password with over 800,000 people.
The streaming giant banned password sharing in May 2023 to prevent people in different households from using the same account for free.
Netflix now requires users to set a primary location – which it likely determines based on your device’s IP address – so that only those living in the same household can share one account.
To share an account with others outside the household requires an extra fee.
The changes were rolled out across the US, UK, Australia, and dozens of other countries, but not without major backlash.
Subscribers were forced to choose one of three options: either abandon Netflix, sign up and pay for their own private Netflix account or pay an additional fee and become an ‘extra member’ to the existing account.Play
Many users were furious and ended up quitting the service altogether rather than paying more.
But instead of ranting online, popular YouTuber Beluga decided to fight back – and the results were chaos.
In a viral video that now has over 1.5 million views, Beluga tested what would happen if he shared his password with over 800,000 people.
In his video, he wrote: “They banned password sharing but can that stop 841, 709 people?”
Going onto his Discord server, the YouTuber posts a picture captioned ‘fridge reveal’ and shares it with his community of 841,709 members.
Essentially, the image shows a fridge full of Monster energy drinks and a Post-it note with Beluga’s supposed login details for Netflix.
It wasn’t long until chaos erupted.
When Beluga goes to load up Squid Game on his Netflix account, his Gmail floods with notifications, stating: ‘A new device is using your account. Please review who’s using your Netflix account.’
SimpleImages / Getty
Meanwhile, the streaming platform spams hundreds of alerts, reading: “Too many people are using your account right now,” and requesting PIN codes in multiple languages.
The madness ends when one user pulls the plug.
Beluga receives an email from Google Mail stating the password on his account has been changed.
Viewers loved the stunt and flooded the comments section.
“beluga’s neftlix changed languages with the amount of hungry netflix fans,” one user joked.
“the thing is that only 2 of those 8 [hundred] thousand people can watch netflix at at time,” another replied.
“Bro became Netflix’s worst nightmare,” someone else remarked.
However, some users thought the fun ended too early, writing: “There is always that one person that ruins the fun for everyone” and “Nahhh, I can’t believe someone broke the fun that quick…”
