US proposes $1 billion to expand secret X-37B spacecraft program

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US proposes $1 billion to expand secret X-37B spacecraft program
US proposes $1 billion to expand secret X-37B spacecraft program (X @SpaceForceDoD)

The US Senate Armed Services Committee proposed an increase of $1 billion in the Space Force budget to strengthen the X-37B spacecraft program.

The proposal is part of a legislative initiative aimed at increasing Department of Defense resources to reinforce the United States Indo-Pacific Command over the next five years. The measure was developed in conjunction with the House of Representatives, the White House, and the Department of Defense.

The X-37B program is operated by the Space Force, with two reusable vehicles manufactured by Boeing, and managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. Despite the proposed budget increase, representatives from the Space Force and Boeing have not yet commented. The project has gained prominence for its strategic role in developing and testing new technologies in orbit.

The spacecraft recently completed its seventh mission, spending 434 days in space. Launched by a Falcon Heavy rocket from SpaceX, this mission marked the X-37B’s debut in a highly elliptical orbit, and included an unprecedented aerobraking maneuver.

Since its first mission in 2010, the vehicle has accumulated over 4,200 days in orbit and has become an important platform for technology testing and data collection on adversary space systems.

Source: Aviation Week | Photo: X @SpaceForceDoD | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team

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