The US military’s Boeing-built X-37B spaceplane is currently on its eighth mission, marking another significant milestone in its ongoing exploration of space. This uncrewed spacecraft, akin to the retired Space Shuttle, is launched aboard a rocket and performs an unpowered landing on a terrestrial runway after re-entry. The X-37B is equipped with engines for maneuvering in space, and during its 2024 mission, it expertly executed a technique known as “aerobraking”, allowing it to delicately graze Earth’s atmosphere to alter its orbit. This maneuver showcases the spacecraft's advanced capabilities and raises questions about its potential uses beyond traditional scientific experimentation.
The X-37B has been the subject of scrutiny, particularly from China, which expresses concerns that the spaceplane could serve as a weapons platform. While little information is publicly available regarding the specific missions of the X-37B, it is known that these missions can extend over a year and typically involve experiments with new space technologies. The latest mission, which launched last week atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is no different. Boeing has shared that this flight includes an integrated service module designed to enhance the payload capacity for experimental activities in orbit.
Notably, this mission of the X-37B is hosting several technology demonstrations from government partners. Among these innovations are laser communications and a cutting-edge quantum inertial sensor developed to assist navigation when Global Positioning System (GPS) is unavailable. This quantum GPS technology was previously tested by Boeing in March 2025 and involves a sophisticated system using a six-axis quantum inertial measurement unit (IMU). This IMU employs a quantum-sensing technique known as atom interferometry, which harnesses the properties of atoms to detect rotation and acceleration.
According to experts at the USA’s Sandia National Laboratories, atom interferometry represents “an ultra-precise way of measuring acceleration.” They have developed a high-performance silicon photonic modulator, a device that controls light on a microchip, to utilize this technology effectively. The core advantage of atom interferometry lies in its ability to measure position, a critical function that GPS currently fulfills. This is particularly relevant given the ongoing tensions with China, which is apprehensive about the X-37B's capabilities to potentially disrupt its Beidou satellite navigation system.
As modern warfare increasingly depends on satellite navigation, the United States shares similar concerns about the vulnerability of its own GPS satellites. Thus, the current mission of the X-37B holds greater significance as it tests technology that could enable future spacecraft, aircraft, and potentially other vehicles to navigate effectively, even if traditional satellite navigation systems were compromised. The Pentagon has not disclosed when the X-37B is expected to return to Earth or the specific objectives of this mission, but its implications for both military and civilian applications are undeniable.
