Spaceplane to Test Orbit Change Maneuver

U.S. Space Force’s X-37B space plane [Courtesy: Boeing Space]

The U.S. Space Force is taking its X-37B spaceplane for a high-tech dump run that it's billing as "groundbreaking innovation as it conducts national security missions in space."

In a rare news release about the hyper-secret mission of the X-37B, the Space Force said it will employ aerobraking to rapidly change orbits using the drag of the atmosphere and only a little fuel. The spaceplane needs to get closer to Earth to jettison equipment it no longer needs. If it dumped the space junk at higher orbits, it would remain there for years, but dropping closer to the planet assures speedy and fiery reentry.

READ MORE: U.S. Space Force’s Secret Robot Spaceplane Could Be Headed to Deep Orbit

Presumably the maneuver will have other uses beyond taking out the garbage, and the Space Force seems pretty excited about it.

Artist rendering of the X-37B conducting an aerobraking maneuver using the drag of Earth’s atmosphere. [Courtesy graphic by Boeing Space]

"This first-of-a-kind maneuver from the X-37B is an incredibly important milestone for the United States Space Force as we seek to expand our aptitude and ability to perform in this challenging domain," said chief of space operations General Chance Saltzman. "The success is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of the team."

The X-37B is testing "Space Domain Awareness technologies" on its seventh mission.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

aerobraking Boeing space plane U.S. Space Force X-37B

Russ NilesAuthor

Russ Niles has been a journalist for 40 years, a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb in 2003. When he’s not writing about airplanes he and his wife Marni run a small winery in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.