Mission Objectives and Innovations
The space plane, managed by the , is performing aerobraking maneuvers to efficiently adjust its orbit using 's atmospheric drag, aiming to safely dispose of service module components and continue its mission of exploring space technologies.
This mission, known as , began in December 2023, focusing on space radiation effects and showcasing the Space Force's commitment to innovation and national security through groundbreaking space maneuvers.
Strategic Implications and Future Prospects
The X-37B's ability to change orbits unpredictably offers the US a strategic advantage in deploying military technology globally, with potential applications in testing surveillance technologies and intercepting adversarial space assets.
Boeing's proposal of a scaled-up X-37C variant for human missions underscores the ongoing development and potential expansion of the X-37 program, which has already received accolades for advancing reusable spacecraft technology.