2023-11-13 12:25:59
The United States’ mini-space shuttle, the X-37B drone, is preparing for a seventh long-duration flight. As with these previous missions, this vehicle will test a very wide variety of experiments and bring them back to the ground (which is of interest) and carry out numerous demonstrations of new technologies, some of which are very innovative. It will also be used to put one or more small satellites into orbit, or even recover at least one. Its flight envelope will also be expanded with certainly new maneuvers.
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Thirteen months following its return to Earth, at the end of a sixth 908-day mission, an X-37B is preparing to return to space for a very long-duration mission, potentially exceeding 1,000 days in orbitorbit. . Scheduled for December 7, 2023, this space vehicle will be launched aboard a SpaceXSpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
A service module that increases the vehicle’s capabilities
This seventh mission, beyond the scientific experiments it will undertake, is distinguished by its objective of “ pushing the limits of the vehicle by operating in new orbital regimes ”, according to Lt. Col. Joseph Fritschen, program director. The extended flight capabilities are explained by the operational use of a service module already tested during the previous mission. This module hosted various experiments, including one on the transformation of solar energy into microwave energy by radio frequency and another on the study of spatial effects on material samples and seeds. The seventh flight plans new experiments exposing seeds and materials to space radiation.
With the integration of this module, the X-37B becomes a more responsive, flexible experimentation platform capable of remaining in orbit even longer. Improvements in the vehicle’s maneuverability and flight envelope will enable the exploration of never-before-seen trajectories and orbit changes.
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A vehicle that contributes to the technological advance of the United States
Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, emphasizes “ the importance of the mission’s experimental efforts » whose common thread might be space radiation and recalls the role of the X-37B « to improve current and future space operations “. These X-37B missions reflect “ the United States Space Force’s commitment to innovation and redefining possibilities in space ».
Record durations in orbit which raise questions
While the X-37B’s early missions raised questions regarding its true nature, it is now clear that it serves primarily as an in-orbit test bed, rather than as a tool of interest for military or espionage activities. . Experts, although skeptical regarding its purely military use, remain intrigued by the surprisingly long duration of its missions. And this is perhaps where the secret surrounding the X-37B program lies: what justifies staying in orbit for so long and for longer and longer mission following mission!
Two X-37Bs are said to be in service. Between them, they carried out a total of six missions:
OTV-1, from April 22 to December 3, 2010 (224 days); OTV-2, from March 5, 2011 to June 16, 2012 (468 days); OTV-3, from December 11, 2012 to October 17, 2014 (674 days); OTV-4, from May 20, 2015 to May 7, 2017 (718 days); OTV-5, from September 7, 2017 to October 27, 2019 (780 days); OTV-6, from May 17, 2020 to November 12, 2022 (908 days) .
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