American topical aircraft landed after 434 days in orbit

The 7th task of the X-37B space is called the trajectory test 7 (OTV-7) landed at the Vandenberg space base in California on March 7, according to Space. During the mission, the X-37B aircraft manufactured by Boeing has performed a new “aerodynamic brake manipulation”, proving its ability to move. X-37B uses the traction of the Earth’s atmosphere to change the orbit more effectively. Aerodynamic brakes are used to bring X-37B from the high elliptical trajectory to the Earth’s low orbit while preserving fuel.

This task not only checks the flexibility of the X-37B in the air, but also marks the first time the space aircraft launched on SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket into high elliptical trajectory. Since then, the aircraft conducted technology experiments to enhance the understanding of the American space for the space environment. After completing many other experiments, the vehicle left the orbit and returned to the Earth.

Although the mission lasts 434 days, the X-37B OTV-7 flight is not the longest flight of this automatic space. That record belongs to the OTV-6 mission with 908 days in orbit from May 2020 to November 2022. In fact, every X-37B flight from 2011 is in the space longer than OTV-7, except for the first task of OTV-1 (224 days).

The US space forces now have two X-37B space aircraft to fly in unfortunate spaces. The success of the OTV-7 highlights the role of X-37B as a versatile means to enhance national security through technological advances. As the challenge in the universe is increasingly complicated, the X-37B will continue to clear the way for future creations in aerospace technology.