I think this is for domestic consumption, to keep the project in the minds of voters and elected representatives so the project is less likely to be defunded.
X-37 is in a higher energy trajectory than its Chinese cousin so it stands to reason it would need to do a energy reduction maneuver before returning to Earth.
So the C-37B is basically an unmanned Space Shuttle?
Like the Arkbird, from Ace Combat 5
in my head canon, this is just the Pentagon broadcasting to the Chinese "hey can your copy of our spaceplane do this?"
I think this is for domestic consumption, to keep the project in the minds of voters and elected representatives so the project is less likely to be defunded.
X-37 is in a higher energy trajectory than its Chinese cousin so it stands to reason it would need to do a energy reduction maneuver before returning to Earth.
…and: “This is just what we choose to disclose”
What does "head canon" mean?
https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/words-were-watching...
"I think", but worse.