The US Space Force has made a not - so - mysterious announcement about the top - secret X-37B outer space sheet . In a rare public statement about the spacecraft ’s charge , official have say X-37B is set to perform a series of “ refreshing manoeuvre ” have intercourse as aerobraking , a proficiency that uses atmospheric drag to facilitate lour the height of a spacecraft ’s orbit while expending minimal fuel .
After the change in ambit , it will “ safely dispose ” of some mental faculty components in Earth ’s cranial orbit . Once the disposition is dealt with , the spaceplane will de - electron orbit and “ carry through a safe return , ” state the US Space Force .
" This novel and effective series of maneuvers demonstrates the Space Force ’s consignment to reach groundbreaking innovation as it conducts home protection foreign mission in infinite , " Frank Kendall , US Secretary of the Air Force , said in thestatement .
Space Shuttle’s mini cousin: X-37B after completing a previous flight.Image credit: US Air Force Photo/Boeing (Public Domain)
" This first of a kind simulated military operation from the X-37B is an incredibly important milepost for the United States Space Force as we seek to expand our aptitude and power to perform in this intriguing domain . The achiever is a testament to the loyalty and tenacity of the team , ” added General Chance Saltzman , Chief of Space Operations at the US Space Force .
X-37Bembarked on its seventh missionin December 2023 after launch from NASA ’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida with the help of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy arugula .
There ’s no discussion yet on when it ’s typeset to refund to the ground , although the vehicle is known to be equipped for incredibly long deputation . In July 2022 , itset a recordfor the long metre in orbit for a craft of this sorting after flying around Earth for 908 days .
develop by Boeing , the uncrewed spacecraft look like a miniature interpretation of the iconic Space Shuttle used by NASA from 1981 to 2011 , with a length of 8.9 meters ( 29 foot ) and a wingspan of 4.55 metre ( 14.9 foot ) . It ’s capable of cruise in humble - 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 .
Theofficial linefrom the US Air Force is that theX-37Bperforms “ risk simplification , experiment and construct of operations development for reusable blank space fomite technology . ” However , exact details about its missions have not been reveal .
