Video: How the American secret spaceplane will perform orbital maneuvers.

In the video, a Boeing representative explained that this maneuver will assist the X-37B in altering its altitude and "safely disposing of the service module components in accordance with recognized standards for combating space debris."

The method involves executing several passes through the upper layers of the planet's atmosphere, utilizing atmospheric drag to change the spacecraft's orbit and conserve fuel.

The reusable spaceplane X-37B, which has been in orbit since December 28, 2023, is operated by the U.S. Space Force in collaboration with the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (AFRCO). Since its launch aboard SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the orbital vehicle has been conducting experiments on the effects of radiation on plant seeds.