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US Military Space Drone X-37B to Execute Unprecedented Orbital Maneuvers.
The American military space drone X-37B, an orbital test vehicle developed by Boeing for the U.S. Space Force and managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (AFRCO), is preparing to undertake a series of unprecedented orbital maneuvers known as aerobraking. Since its launch on December 28, 2023, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral, the X-37B has been navigating a highly elliptical orbit. This mission, designated OTV-7, includes key objectives: testing advanced space-domain awareness technologies, evaluating the effects of radiation on specific materials, and performing orbit-changing maneuvers while minimizing fuel usage.
The U.S. Air Force also plans to integrate the X-37B into an operational network with F-22 and F-35 fighter jets, allowing for extensive coordination across various domains (Picture source: Boeing Space)
Aerobraking, a technique previously employed by the scientific community in lunar and Mars missions, enables the modification of an object’s orbit by leveraging the drag produced by Earth’s atmosphere. By slowing down the drone as it passes through denser atmospheric layers, this maneuver reduces fuel consumption, optimizes resource management, and in this case, allows for the safe disposal of outdated components from the X-37B’s service module. This approach aligns with international standards on space debris reduction, reflecting the U.S. Space Force's commitment to sustainable practices in orbital operations.
This mission represents a first for the U.S. Space Force, marking the X-37B's inaugural use of dynamic aerobraking after six successful missions. Beyond its scientific purpose, these maneuvers carry strategic significance, with General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, underscoring their role in enhancing the Space Force’s operational capabilities in terms of orbital maneuverability and deployment. U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall also acknowledged this development, describing it as evidence of the Space Force's commitment to advancing national security innovations in space operations.
First launched in 2010, the X-37B is a reusable space drone designed for extended missions in orbit. Measuring 8.38 meters in length, with a wingspan of 4.57 meters and a dry mass of approximately five tons, it features a service module enabling various scientific experiments, particularly those related to materials and detection technologies. Additionally, it can carry supplemental payloads, enhancing its adaptability for long-term missions.
The U.S. Air Force also plans to integrate the X-37B into an operational network with F-22 and F-35 fighter jets, allowing for extensive coordination across various domains. As the drone embarks on this series of maneuvers, it demonstrates the Space Force's capacity to expand spatial operability while ensuring a safe return and adherence to international orbital debris standards. In this way, the X-37B embodies the strategic U.S. vision of a protected, sustainable space essential to national security.