U.S. Air Force's X‑37B shuttle tests secret space maneuvers
The unmanned X-37B shuttle, owned by the U.S. Air Force, has been in orbit for over a year. Although the tests conducted are classified, the Pentagon has disclosed that it is evaluating the possibility of aerodynamic braking. This approach allows for fuel savings and enables dynamic maneuvers, including potential combat operations, in space.
The X-37B is a small, unmanned shuttle built by Boeing. Since its first flight in 2010, following tests with the earlier X-37A variant, it has been executing covert missions in Earth's orbit.
The vehicle is just under 30 feet long and features tiny wings with a span of 15 feet. Weighing nearly 11,000 pounds, the shuttle has a cargo bay with a volume of just over 70 cubic feet.
The X-37B shuttle is notable for the duration of its missions—remaining in space for a record 908 days, even though its official specifications initially indicated autonomy for 270 days. This has proven untrue, as the current X-37B mission has already lasted over a year. What tasks does the shuttle perform while in orbit for such extended periods?
Aerodynamic braking in space
One of the tasks being explored is testing aerodynamic braking capabilities. This involves using the resistance generated by Earth's atmosphere at high altitudes, even above the nominal boundary of space.
Even when the atmosphere's gases are highly rarefied, their aerodynamic drag can be utilized—in the case of the X-37B, to enable quick orbital changes to a lower orbit without using an engine, thereby conserving valuable fuel.
Dynamic space operations
The official purpose of these tests is to evaluate the ability to dispose of the mission module's container quickly. Previously, when it was jettisoned into high orbit, it became space debris that circled the Earth for decades.
Current NASA recommendations suggest that space debris should not remain in orbit for more than 25 years, but current X-37B tests aim to reduce this time to just five years. During this period, atmospheric drag should lower the mission module's trajectory enough to burn up in the atmosphere.
Beyond the official reasons, experts highlight the potential for using these capabilities for combat operations in orbit. The Pentagon supports this with "dynamic space operations," which effectively means maneuvers that could involve inspecting or neutralizing enemy satellites.
