US President Donald Trump turned on $1 billion for the X-37B spacecraft program in his "One Big Beautiful Bill Act", which provides new funding for the US Space Force.
X-37B, або Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) is reusable, mostly classified apparatus, which has already made seven flights and serves as a testing ground for technologies, maneuvering, air braking and means of surveillance in space. The last flight has ended 7 March 2025 year after 434 days in orbit.
Despite the public announcement of funding, details regarding costs and future launches remain classified. According to official information from the Pentagon, The X-37B is used to reduce technological risks, testing experiments and working out concepts for the reuse of space vehicles.
Meanwhile, the aircraft uses a number of innovations:
Air braking to save fuel;
Fully electromechanical control systems;
Unique heat-protective cladding made of materials of a new generation.