Mysterious US Spacecraft Performs Unprecedented Maneuvers Above Earth: ‘National Security Missions in Space’

A secret American spacecraft is about to attempt unprecedented flight maneuvers above Earth.

The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-7) is an experimental spacecraft operated by the United States Space Force (USSF).

Although little has been revealed about the vehicle’s purpose, an official X-37B painting revealed last year depicted the futuristic vehicle intercepting an adversary satellite position to disable a friendly satellite.

The USSF has now announced that the X-37B will begin executing a series of “new maneuvers” called aerobraking.

This sees a number of passes using the drag of the Earth’s atmosphere to change its orbit around the Earth while expending minimal fuel.

If successful, it will allow the X-37B to safely dispose of its service module components in accordance with recognized space debris mitigation standards.

Since December 2023, the USSF, supported by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, has conducted radiation effect experiments and tested Space Domain Awareness technologies in a “Highly Elliptical Orbit”.

Once the aircraft braking maneuver is complete, the USSF says the X-37B will “resume testing and experimentation objectives until they are met,” at which time the vehicle will de-orbit and execute a safe return as it did during his six previous missions.

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said, “This new and efficient series of maneuvers demonstrates the Space Force’s commitment to achieving breakthrough innovation while executing national security missions in space.”

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman praised the team for its efforts. “This first-of-its-kind maneuver by the X-37B is an incredibly important milestone for the United States Space Force as we seek to expand our capability and ability to perform in this challenging domain. The success is a testament to the commitment and team persistence.”