The U.S. military's X-37B space plane is set to embark on a series of novel aerobraking maneuvers, marking a significant advancement in its operational capabilities. This update comes as the spacecraft has been in a highly elliptical, undisclosed orbit for ten months since its launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket in December 2023.
Currently engaged in radiation-effect experiments and testing Space Domain Awareness technologies, the X-37B will now utilize Earth's atmosphere to modify its orbit. The planned aerobraking maneuvers will harness atmospheric drag to lower the space plane's orbit while conserving fuel, according to Space Force officials.
Once the X-37B reaches a lower, more circular orbit, it will jettison its service module components, ensuring they remain in orbit for a shorter period, thus adhering to space debris mitigation standards.
Frank Kendall, Secretary of the U.S. Air Force, emphasized that these innovative maneuvers reflect the Space Force's commitment to groundbreaking advancements in national security missions in space. This mission will be the first instance of dynamic aerobraking for the X-37B, building on previous missions and lessons learned from lunar and Martian explorations.
Gen. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, highlighted the importance of these maneuvers as a milestone for the Space Force, enhancing its capabilities in a challenging domain. Following the aerobraking, the X-37B will continue its testing objectives before de-orbiting and landing, consistent with its six prior missions. The current flight is designated OTV-7 (Orbital Test Vehicle-7) and follows a previous mission that lasted 908 days in orbit.