Russia and China Think the X-37B Space Plane Is a Space ‘Bomber’

National Security Journal ^ | 9/5/2025 | Steve Balestrieri

[whyilovetexas111]

The U.S. Space Force’s secretive X-37B is a reusable, unmanned spaceplane whose true mission remains a mystery. Its eighth mission, launched August 21, 2025, has reignited speculation, with Russia and China claiming it is a space bomber. While not a “Death Star,” the X-37B is an invaluable and record-breaking testbed for advanced satellite technologies, enabling the U.S. to conduct experiments in space and bring the results back home for analysis.

[whyilovetexas111]

I think it does have some weapons capability. Why spend so much on it?

[rktman]

What X-37B? 🤔😊👍

[laplata]

Maybe it can also serve as a satellite killer.

[Fish Speaker]

In all probability, they’re using it to refuel our satellites to extend their operability.

[laplata]

There are pictures of it on the ground with people in protective suits walking around it. It’s not very big.

[chopperk]

Popup ad covers pic...sorry article.

[SaveFerris]

(protective suits)

If it has hydrazine thrusters those suits would definitely be a necessity

[Campion]

It would use a hypergolic fuel/oxidizer like hydrazine/nitrogen tetroxide for its thrusters. Those are both very toxic and nasty, hence the protective suits. They did the same thing with the Shuttle.

[laplata]

I know nothing about hydrazine thrusters but it sounds like serious precautions must be taken.

Thanks for the info.

[laplata]

Thanks for that info.

[SaveFerris]

hydrazine is extraordinarily toxic

[tired&retired]

Wait until they find out that Elon’s thousands of satellites have offensive weapons on them!

[Regulator]

Right.

And the most important thing about it is that it keeps them all wondering what the hell it is.

If it was actually all that important, they wouldn’t even know it exists.

[Salman]

If it’s true mission “remains a mystery” maybe it is a space bomber. Just sayin’

[laplata]

It sounds like it.

[rktman]

Yup, it was so.

[Campion]

Hydrazine is not your friend. :-) From wikipedia:

Hydrazine exposure can cause skin irritation/contact dermatitis and burning, irritation to the eyes/nose/throat, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath, pulmonary edema, headache, dizziness, central nervous system depression, lethargy, temporary blindness, seizures and coma. Exposure can also cause organ damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system.[41][42] Hydrazine is documented as a strong skin sensitizer with potential for cross-sensitization to hydrazine derivatives following initial exposure.

Oh, and it also may cause lung cancer.

[BigFreakinToad]

Rods from God???

[struggle]

I think it’s sniffing Russian and Chinese satellites. It probably also has the ability to disable them.

[laplata]

Very nasty stuff. Thanks.