The US Space Force has made a not-so-secret announcement about the top-secret X-37B space plane. In a rare public statement about the spacecraft’s mission, officials have said X-37B is set to perform a series of “novel maneuvers” known as aerobraking, a technique that uses atmospheric drag to help lower the height of a spacecraft’s orbit while expending minimal fuel.
After the change in orbit, it will “safely dispose” of some module components in Earth’s orbit. Once the disposal is dealt with, the spaceplane will de-orbit and “execute a safe return,” said the US Space Force.
“This novel and efficient series of maneuvers demonstrates the Space Force’s commitment to achieving groundbreaking innovation as it conducts national security missions in space,” Frank Kendall, US Secretary of the Air Force, said in the statement.
“This first of a kind maneuver from the X-37B is an incredibly important milestone for the United States Space Force as we seek to expand our aptitude and ability to perform in this challenging domain. The success is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the team,” added General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations at the US Space Force.
Space Shuttle’s mini cousin: X-37B after completing a previous flight.
Image credit: US Air Force Photo/Boeing (Public Domain)
X-37B embarked on its seventh mission in December 2023 after launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida with the help of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
There’s no word yet on when it’s set to return to the ground, although the vehicle is known to be equipped for incredibly long missions. In July 2022, it set a record for the longest time in orbit for a craft of this sort after flying around Earth for 908 days.
Developed by Boeing, the uncrewed spacecraft looks like a miniature version of the iconic Space Shuttle used by NASA from 1981 to 2011, with a length of 8.9 meters (29 feet) and a wingspan of 4.55 meters (14.9 feet). It’s capable of cruising in low-earth orbit, between 240 to 800 kilometers (150 to 500 miles) above the Earth, at speeds of around 28,200 kilometers (17,523 miles) per hour.
The official line from the US Air Force is that the X-37B performs “risk reduction, experimentation and concept of operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies.” However, precise details about its missions have not been disclosed.
