The X-37B, a reusable spaceplane developed by Boeing, successfully concluded its seventh mission after spending 434 days in orbit, returning to Earth on a Friday after a secretive operational period. Launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in December 2023 via a SpaceX rocket, the X-37B conducted military experiments rather than transporting crew. Details regarding the specific objectives of this mission remain classified, underscoring the strategic and operational secrecy surrounding the program. The recent flight highlighted the vehicle’s ability to adjust its orbit by leveraging atmospheric drag for deceleration, which enhances fuel efficiency. This mission continued to build on the X-37B’s capabilities, adding to the six previous missions, which collectively allowed the craft to remain in space for a total of 1,342 days. The ongoing development of the X-37B positions the U.S. military advantageously in the realm of advanced space operations.
