Posted on 10/22/2009 5:04:59 PM PDT by driftdiver
You would think that an unpiloted space plane built to rocket spaceward from Florida atop an Atlas booster, circle the planet for an extended time, then land on autopilot on a California runway would be big news. But for the U.S. Air Force X-37B project — seemingly, mum's the word.
There is an air of vagueness regarding next year's Atlas Evolved Expendable launch of the unpiloted, reusable military space plane. The X-37B will be cocooned within the Atlas rocket's launch shroud — a ride that's far from cheap.
While the launch range approval is still forthcoming, SPACE.com has learned that the U.S. Air Force has the X-37B manifested for an April 2010 liftoff.
As a mini-space plane, this Boeing Phantom Works craft has been under development for years. Several agencies have been involved in the effort, NASA as well as the Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DARPA) and various arms of the U.S. Air Force.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
sounds kind of cool.
Does this mean the X37a was epic fail?
Its certainly the ultimate in spy planes.
Too Bad! One more Program for OBOZO to screw up.......
ping
Its a reusable satellite. I guess you would just bring it home if it has to be fixed, recharged or reconfigured.
http://space.skyrocket.de/index_frame.htm?http://www.skyrocket.de/space/doc_sdat/x-37.htm
Looks like a very high altitude Predator.
Not sure I understand your point.
Too high.
Ck the link I posted
I am not an engineer but I doubt existing missiles can be dropped from that high without melting on the way in.
“I am not an engineer but I doubt existing missiles can be dropped from that high without melting on the way in.”
But...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_bombardment
So, when does the Zero administration cancel the funding for this project?
3...2....1....
Aviation Week says our alternative to a booster launch for space planes is the upgraded B-70/Sr-3 airlifter based at Groom Lake.
“A large “mothership,” closely resembling the U.S. Air Force’s historic XB-70 supersonic bomber, carries the orbital component conformally under its fuselage, accelerating to supersonic speeds at high altitude before dropping the spaceplane. The orbiter’s engines fire and boost the vehicle into space. If mission requirements dictate, the spaceplane can either reach low Earth orbit or remain suborbital.”
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news/030606p1.xml
Looking at the x37 image I wonder if it is too heavy for the airlifter. You get no idea of proportions. Also I wonder do the stabilizers fold down for stowage in the booster shroud.
It kinda looks like a Space Shuttle with Down Syndrome.
Put a hamster on board it will get news then Obama will hear of it and cancel it.
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