Both. A more accurate statement would be that it is propelled to stable orbit by a single rocket. The plane's systems are powered by lithium ion batteries, which are recharged by a solar array.
You appear to want something secretive to be uncovered here, but I'm afraid that the use of this protective gear is not the smoking gun you think it is.
Also, it wouldn't be all that strange for there to be a nuclear device on board. Nuclear power is regularly used in satellites. The reactors are not the same as the ones used in terrestrial nuclear power plants though. A satellite typically uses a radioisotope thermoelectric generator.
