A secret American spacecraft is about to attempt an unprecedented flight maneuver above Earth.
The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-7) is an experimental space aircraft operated by the United States Space Force (USSF).
Although little has been revealed about the vehicle’s purpose, an official painting of the .
The USSF has now announced that the X-37B will begin executing a series of “novel maneuvers” called aerobraking.
It looks for several routes, using the drag of the Earth’s atmosphere to change its orbit around the Earth while expending minimal fuel.
If successful, this will allow the X-37B to safely dispose of its service module components in accordance with recognized standards for space debris mitigation.
Through December 2023, the USSF, supported by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, has conducted radiation effects experiments and is testing space domain awareness technologies in a “highly elliptical orbit.”
Once the aerobrake maneuver is complete, the USSF says the Did during six missions.
“This innovative and efficient series of maneuvers demonstrates the Space Force’s commitment to achieving unprecedented innovation as it conducts national security missions in space,” said Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall.
Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations, praised the team for its efforts. “This first-of-its-kind maneuver of the The success is a testament to the team’s dedication and perseverance.”
