US Space Force's X-37B Spaceplane Completes 434-Day Mission

The classified mission showcased advanced orbital maneuvers and experimental technologies, landing successfully at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The X-37B spaceplane returned to Earth on March 7, 2025, after spending 434 days in orbit during its seventh mission.
The spacecraft executed a groundbreaking aerobraking maneuver, using atmospheric drag to alter its orbit while conserving fuel.
Mission 7 marked the first time the X-37B was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket into a highly elliptical orbit.
Key experiments included testing radiation effects and space domain awareness technologies, though most mission details remain classified.
Since its inception, the X-37B program has logged over 4,000 cumulative days in space, advancing autonomous reentry and propulsion technologies.