Ron_Wanttaja
You can find NASA studies on this concept going back almost 50 years (search for “aeromaneuvering spacecraft”). What new, here, is that I believe it’ll be the first time anyone actually tried it.
You can find NASA studies on this concept going back almost 50 years (search for “aeromaneuvering spacecraft”). What new, here, is that I believe it’ll be the first time anyone actually tried it.
On the flip side, according to Space.com, while the U.S. leads with its X-37B spaceplane, China’s Shenlong program is catching up quickly. China’s recent 276-day mission demonstrates its rapid progress in long-duration space operations. Their goal is not just to match, but to surpass, the U.S. in areas like satellite networks, lunar missions, and the development of their own space station, all critical to China’s growth and security strategy.
However, with Boeing’s Phantom Works as the primary contractor and support from other private sector partners, the U.S. continues to maintain its edge in space technology.
Beyond military applications, the X-37B contributes to space science by testing new materials, improving satellite technologies, and advancing radiation shielding—a crucial development for future crewed missions, making it an essential asset for both defense and space exploration.
I always had a hunch that this was the reason why it was designed that way.
I’m hoping that this is a stock photo. Should we be concerned that they are using “Speed Tape” on this craft?
Nah Gerry. The tape is not structural, just keeping the cargo door closed. 
Had my biweekly meeting with my fellow space engineering retirees. Our orbitologist is well linked with the non-governmental observers who are trying to track this mission.
The usual X-37 mission operates in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), below a thousand miles (and they’re usually significantly lower). When they re-enter, they hit the atmosphere at about 22,000 Feet Per Second (FPS).
However this mission is in a VERY unusual orbit…about 250 miles when it’s at perigee (closest to the Earth), but about 23,000 miles high at its apogee. What’s called a highly elliptical orbit.
When it’s at perigee, it’s scorching along at about 35,000 FPS. That’s 50% higher than its normal re-entry speed. Don’t know the limits, but it’s likely the X-37 would be fried if it tried to re-enter at that speed.
So…it sounds like they’re using the atmosphere to gradually lower its orbit. Dip closely enough into the atmosphere to slow the spacecraft slightly, but not enough to overheat it. As it comes back out, it has hours to cool down again…and it repeats the maneuver on the next pass. Gradually, the Apogee is reduced, which lowers the Perigee velocity.
Doesn’t require much propellant. What it does require is time. It’s in about a 12-hour orbit now, so it’ll take weeks to bring the perigee speed down enough for a safe re-entry.
Pretty darn clever, actually.
Skipping and jumping. Trajectory management at unprecedented levels. Mercury 7 to Space X. The kind of R&D government can do to pave the way for future commercial endeavor.