The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) has always ignited curiosity and speculation since its inaugural journey into space in 2011. Conceived by Boeing and managed by the US Space Force (USSF), this innovative, unmanned spaceplane represents a leap forward in reusable spacecraft technology. Designed to operate within Low-Earth Orbit (LEO)—roughly 240 to 800 kilometers (150 to 500 miles) above Earth—the X-37B serves not only as a testbed for various technologies but also as a strategic asset for the evolving theater of space operations. As the craft embarks on its seventh mission (OTV-7), which started on December 29, 2023, the implications of its capabilities and objectives grow increasingly significant.
The X-37B’s latest mission has attracted attention for its dual focus on scientific experiments and military applications. According to reports, this mission includes sophisticated inquiries into the effects of space radiation and trials of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) technologies which are essential for monitoring and managing space security. One of the most noteworthy aspects of this mission is the X-37B’s planned orbit changes through a technique called “aerobraking,” in which the spacecraft skims the upper layers of Earth’s atmosphere to slow down and adjust its orbit, conserving fuel in the process. This remarkable maneuver not only enhances operational efficiency but also offers a strategic advantage: it may allow the vehicle to operate with reduced visibility to potential adversaries.
Aerobraking is not new; it has proven effective in past missions to Mars, including the Mars Global Surveyor, which employed its solar panels as wings to navigate through the Martian atmosphere. The integration of such established methodologies into the X-37B’s operations underscores the importance of learned experiences from earlier space missions and paves the way for innovative strategies to bolster national security in low earth orbit.
Though the particulars of the X-37B’s full capabilities remain largely undisclosed, former USAF Secretary Heather Wilson underscored its unique orbiting strategy during her remarks at the Aspen Security Forum in 2019. The X-37B can execute an orbit resembling an elongated egg shape, enabling it to adjust its trajectory in proximity to Earth’s atmosphere. This unpredictability complicates adversaries’ tracking efforts, creating a cat-and-mouse dynamic that would likely frustrate those seeking to monitor its movements.
Jonathan McDowell, an expert with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, highlighted how the craft’s operational unpredictability forces adversaries to revise their orbital predictions continually, making it a strategic enigma. Such capabilities could serve as a deterrent against potential threats, emphasizing the growing importance of active space defense strategies that blend scientific inquiry with military preparedness.
The endeavors of the X-37B extend beyond mere experimentation. As the vehicle meticulously executes its aerobraking techniques and continues its array of scientific tests, which include the “Seeds-2” experiment by NASA to study radiation impacts on plant seeds, it represents a commitment to participate in the broader conversations surrounding space exploration and security. The X-37B’s role in ejecting service module components for debris mitigation further illustrates its alignment with responsible space operations.
Notably, the mission has implications for future endeavors in space technology and security as Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman remarked on the groundbreaking innovations being pursued by the US Space Force. The blend of experimental tasks and national security objectives represents an evolving narrative in which space is no longer the final frontier, but rather a domain that requires meticulous strategy and innovation.
As the X-37B continues its journey through the cosmos, it stands on the brink of establishing new paradigms in both military and scientific domains. By leveraging decades of experience from previous missions, the Space Force aims to enhance its strategic capabilities in an ever-changing environment. The X-37B serves not merely as a vessel but as a symbol of the intersection between technology, national security, and advances in science. As we look toward future missions, the ongoing developments tied to the X-37B may redefine our perception of space and its critical role in national defense and exploration. The legacy of the X-37B, and what it symbolizes, invites us to witness the unfolding chapters of humanity’s quest to harness and secure the realm beyond our planet.