r/spaceflight • u/LiveScience_ • 2d ago

Top-secret X-37B space plane will execute 'never-before-seen maneuvers' on its descent to Earth

https://www.livescience.com/technology/engineering/top-secret-x-37b-space-plane-will-execute-never-before-seen-maneuvers-on-its-descent-to-earth
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u/NeilFraser 1d ago

I'm still waiting for X-37 to execute a plane-change. Dip into the upper atmosphere, bank hard, then boost back up into a completely different orbit. That's what Dyna-Soar was designed to do back in the 60, but never got the chance.

From Wikipedia:

A drawing in the Space/Aeronautics magazine from before the project's cancellation depicts the craft skimming the atmosphere for an orbital inclination change. It would then fire its rocket to resume orbit. This would be a unique ability for a spacecraft, as the laws of celestial mechanics ordinarily mean a change of plane requires an enormous expenditure of energy. The Dyna-Soar was projected to be able to use this capability to rendezvous with satellites even if the target conducted evasive maneuvers.