X-37B Spacecraft Initiates Aerobraking to Adjust Orbit

The U.S. Space Force's secretive X-37B space plane is performing aerobraking maneuvers to lower its orbit and dispose of unnecessary hardware. This technique uses atmospheric drag to adjust the spacecraft's altitude, conserving propellant compared to traditional thruster burns. The maneuver marks a significant milestone for the Space Force, showcasing advanced capabilities in space operations. The X-37B's current mission, OTV-7, launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy, is testing new technologies for space radiation effects and domain awareness.