It is a diminutive spacecraft standing at under 10 feet tall, not exceeding 30 feet in length, featuring a distinctive rounded, bulldog-like nose and pointed wings. The X-37B, hailed as the Pentagon’s most enigmatic aircraft, holds a disproportionate intrigue despite its compact dimensions, resembling a miniature version of a spaceflight vessel.
Is this a clandestine tool of the Pentagon? Operated covertly, does it stealthily approach spacecraft? What precisely is its designated role? And why has it maintained its presence for such an extensive duration?
The Pentagon remains tight-lipped, shrouding the privacy of the X-37B until its upcoming sixth mission launch on Sunday at 8:14 p.m. Eastern Time. Nonetheless, subtle indications suggest a departure from the norm this time around.
Unlike previous launches, the formidable Falcon Heavy from SpaceX will propel the drone, boasting greater potency. With no human occupants, speculation has arisen regarding a potentially higher orbital destination, a notion supported by subsequent documentation. SpaceX secured the $130 million contract for the launch in 2018.
However, the specific objectives in this elevated trajectory remain undisclosed.
As per the Pentagon’s official declaration, the mission encompasses “a broad array of check and research objectives.” The reusable spaceplane will be instrumental in evaluating new orbit patterns and potential advancements in space situational awareness technologies.
The term “space domain awareness” hints at potential satellite monitoring capabilities and reconnaissance tasks. Understanding the activities and whereabouts of adversaries’ spacecraft has emerged as a crucial focus for the U.S. Space Force. Gen. Chance Saltzman, the Space Force’s Deputy Chief of Space Operations, emphasized the importance of enhancing space surveillance capabilities to counter evolving threats from both rudimentary and sophisticated adversary systems during a recent address to Congress.
One area of focus involves an experiment for NASA, wherein the vehicle may subject plant seedlings to the harsh radiation environment of prolonged spaceflight. The X-37B has previously served as a testing ground for cutting-edge technologies, including a compact solar panel that converts solar energy into microwaves, potentially enabling the transmission of captured energy back to Earth.
Furthermore, miniature observatories have been deployed via the Boeing-manufactured X-37B, although the outcomes of these missions remain ambiguous.
Brian Weeden, the Director of Program Planning at the Secure World Foundation, remarked on the paradoxical nature of the X-37B’s public image, emphasizing the Pentagon’s reluctance to divulge details despite public acclaim for its advancements. While rumors abound, Weeden asserted that the Pentagon assigns significant importance to the spacecraft’s undisclosed activities, attributing its allure to its enigmatic nature.
Secure World Foundation’s fact sheet dismisses the notion of the X-37B serving as a viable planetary weapons platform, instead suggesting its role in testing reusable space launch vehicle technologies, guidance systems, infrared protection, and new sensor and satellite technologies for risk mitigation.
Despite assertions to the contrary, international perceptions, especially in China, portray the X-37B as a symbol of American space militarization. Weeden highlighted China’s emulation of American initiatives with its secretive Shenlong spacecraft, which completed two missions, echoing the mysterious aura surrounding the X-37B.
If Sunday’s mission mirrors past iterations, the spaceplane is poised for an extended stay. Its inaugural 2010 flight lasted 224 days, with subsequent missions increasing in duration. The X-37B spent a remarkable 908 days in orbit before landing at Cape Canaveral following its last flight in November 2022, providing invaluable insights into long-term storage performance.
Gen. David Thompson, the Space Force’s Vice Chief of Space Operations, commended the X-37B as a pioneering platform for experimentation and innovation, hinting at forthcoming breakthroughs yet to be unveiled.
