The X-37B has been named a finalist for the 2024 Collier Trophy, a prestigious aerospace award recognizing the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in the U.S. This nomination highlights the spaceplane’s groundbreaking aerobraking maneuver, which allowed it to shift orbits efficiently while conserving fuel.

Aerobraking is a technique where a spacecraft uses atmospheric drag to slow down and adjust its orbit, reducing the need for onboard propulsion. This advancement enhances space maneuverability and sustainability.

Michelle Parker, Boeing’s vice president of Space Mission Systems, praised the team’s dedication and innovation in making this maneuver possible. The Collier Trophy has been awarded since 1911, with past recipients including the Wright brothers, Apollo 11, and the Boeing 787.

The final selection will take place on March 20 in Washington, D.C., with the winner announced on March 25 and the award ceremony scheduled for June 12.

source: BNN, February 20, 2025.