The mysterious Boeing X-37B is set to begin a series of advanced aerobraking maneuvers that will take the dynamic spaceplane from a Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO), where it’s been operating since December 2023, and then lowering its altitude using minimal fuel.
This maneuver sees the X-37B using the drag of Earth’s atmosphere to slow it down, reducing the vehicle’s energy and changing the orbit while expending minimal fuel. The Service Module disposal will then be conducted in accordance with established standards for space debris mitigation, resulting in the spaceplane’s orbit change occurring in a safe and responsible manner. Upon completion, the X-37B will resume its test and experimentation objectives.
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Space is a vast and unforgiving environment where testing technologies is critical to the success of future endeavors. There is no other space platform as capable, flexible and maneuverable as the X-37B, and its next demonstration will be another proof point that this test vehicle sets the pace of innovation,” said Michelle Parker, vice president of Boeing’s Space Mission Systems.
