X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle-7 Mission

SOURCE www.the-sun.com
The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle-7, a top secret US spaceship, successfully completed a 434-day mission in orbit and landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. It performed an innovative aerobraking manoeuvre and tested space domain awareness technology.

Key Points

  • X-37B is a dynamic unmanned spaceplane
  • Aerobraking involves multiple passes into Earth's atmosphere to change orbit
  • Mission 7 tested technologies critical for US Space Force's space operations

Pros

  • Successfully completed a long-duration mission in orbit
  • Innovative aerobraking manoeuvre to change orbit
  • Tested space domain awareness technology

Cons

  • Limited public information about true purpose
  • Top secret nature raises questions about transparency