Fresh, Uncensored Perspective on Spaceforce's X-37B Spaceplane Adventure
Unveiled Space Force Craft Prepared for Innovative Maneuver to Modify Its Satellite Path
In a thrilling twist, the top-secret X-37B spaceplane operated by the US Space Force, famously known as the "phantom spaceship," is set to perform a groundbreaking maneuver. Announced on Thursday, this orbital acrobat will try its hand at aerobraking for the first time—a technique that uses Earth's atmospheric drag to alter its orbit while minimizing fuel expenditure.
The audacious dance began on December 29, 2023, with the thunderous roar of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket blasting off. The rocket, ever the reliable steed, carried the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle in its noble cargo, marking the first time the spacecraft embarked on this aerial journey. Preceding this mission, the six-wheeled stealth fighter had already completed six other tripsaround Earth, mastering the art of interstellar hitchhiking.
With its seventh circumnavigation, the X-37B, proudly manufactured by Boeing, will shed its service module prior to completing its classified mission goals, left undisclosed by the Space Force. After de-orbiting, the spaceplane will gracefully return to its terrestrial abode, bringing its seventh mission in space to a close. Frank Kendall, the secretary of the US Air Force, eloquently stated, "This innovative series of maneuvers signifies the Space Force's unwavering commitment to revolutionary advancements as they execute national security responsibilities in the heavens."
The Space Force has been notoriously reticent about the intricacies of the test vehicle, shielding sensitive information as it engages in a fiery competition with China to develop the next generation of reusable spacecraft. The details of the spaceplane's ongoing mission have been kept under wraps, with the Space Force only deigning to disclose that the vehicle will engage in fresh orbital alignments and test mysterious "space domain awareness technologies." The extent of these technologies remains unknown, as does their intended purpose.
Going beyond mere extension of the Space Shuttle dream, this next-gen spaceplane is a technological marvel that has carried a NASA experiment designed to evaluate the impacts of long-duration space travel on plant seeds. In its sixth mission, the X-37B launched aboard an Atlas V rocket from ULA in May 2020, circumnavigated Earth for an impressive 908 days before coming home to roost at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in November 2022.
China is also testing its own spaceplane, Shenlong—currently on its third mission after spending 268 days in orbit. China, in its typical fashion, has remained guarded about the reusable spacecraft.
It remains uncertain precisely when the US Space Force will set the X-37B back down to Earth this time, but the recent announcement hints that the spaceplane might be reaching the tail-end of its mission—making its seventh voyage a relatively brief sojourn. If that's the case, it seems that the Space Force is more focused on mastering novel maneuvers rather than prolonging its time in space, perhaps signaling that the finish line for the spaceplane's evolution is Drawing near.
- The X-37B spaceplane, known as the "phantom spaceship," is on a mission to test unorthodox spaceflight techniques, with the aim of revolutionizing future space travel and technology.
- The spacecraft, managed by the US Space Force, will attempt aerobraking for the first time, using Earth's atmospheric drag to adjust its orbit and conserve fuel.
- The upcoming mission of the X-37B, proudly manufactured by Boeing, will involve the use of "space domain awareness technologies," the details of which remain undisclosed.
- The X-37B's seventh mission, initially launched atop a Falcon Heavy rocket, may be a relatively brief sojourn, hinting at a focus on mastering innovative maneuvers rather than prolonging its stay in space, possibly signaling the nearing completion of its evolution.