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X-37B prepares for new aerobraking maneuvers with minimal fuel use

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X-37B prepares for new aerobraking maneuvers with minimal fuel use
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Howard McKenzie Chief Engineer and Executive Vice President Engineering, Test & Technology | Boeing

The Boeing-built X-37B spaceplane is set to undertake a series of advanced aerobraking maneuvers. This initiative will transition the spacecraft from its current Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO), where it has been operating since December 2023, to a lower altitude using minimal fuel.

This maneuver marks the first collaboration between Boeing, the United States Space Force (USSF), and the X-37B for such a demonstration. Michelle Parker, vice president of Boeing’s Space Mission Systems, emphasized the importance of testing technologies in space: “Space is a vast and unforgiving environment where testing technologies is critical to the success of future endeavors.”

The aerobraking process involves utilizing Earth's atmospheric drag to decelerate the vehicle, thus altering its orbit with minimal fuel consumption. The disposal of the Service Module will adhere to established standards for mitigating space debris. The orbit change will be conducted safely and responsibly, after which the X-37B will continue its test and experimentation objectives.

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Gen. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, highlighted this maneuver as a significant milestone for USSF: “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.”

The program builds on six successful missions involving safe operations around Earth by leveraging Boeing's extensive experience from past projects like Apollo missions, the Space Shuttle Program, and numerous government and commercial satellites.

Organizations Included in this History
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