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Space Force launches X-37B plane into orbit for secret mission
nypost ^ | 5/17/2020 | JACKIE SALO

Posted on 05/17/2020 10:10:16 AM PDT by bitt

The newly-established Space Force blasted a secretive space plane into orbit from Florida Sunday for a mystery military mission.

The launch out of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station marked the sixth flight for the solar-powered X-37B craft — which is flown by remote control without a crew.

Riding atop an Atlas V rocket, the craft left from Space Launch Complex 41 at 9:14 a.m., following a one-day delay due to bad weather.

Officials won’t say why or how long it will remain in orbit, but the last mission lasted a record-breaking two years in space.

Jim Chilton, who is senior vice president for X-37B developer Boeing, noted that each mission has been progressively longer for the craft.

It is one of two of the Air Force’s winged space planes, which together have logged a combined 2,865 days in orbit as of Sunday.

“If you add up all the missions, just under eight years in orbit and 1 billion miles, so a lot of traveling by this machine,” Chilton said.

The craft launched with an extra compartment for experiments, including several for NASA and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, making it the largest load for science yet for a mission.

Sunday’s launch was dedicated to health care workers and others on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government
KEYWORDS: elonmusk; falcon9; falconheavy; spaceforce; spacex; x37b
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1 posted on 05/17/2020 10:10:16 AM PDT by bitt
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To: Whenifhow; null and void; aragorn; EnigmaticAnomaly; kalee; Kale; AZ .44 MAG; Baynative; bgill; ...

P


2 posted on 05/17/2020 10:10:29 AM PDT by bitt (Much of our culture is intended to traumatize us, as traumatized people are easily controlled)
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To: bitt

A load of military “science” for sure.


3 posted on 05/17/2020 10:13:17 AM PDT by Paladin2
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To: bitt
Do they have a special wuhan virus surprise for the Chicoms?
4 posted on 05/17/2020 10:19:27 AM PDT by immadashell (Save Innocent Lives - ban gun free zones)
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To: immadashell

The 21st Space Wing Commander was found dead in his home a few days ago, supposedly of natural causes. He was 46 and had recently taken over the position.


5 posted on 05/17/2020 10:23:33 AM PDT by Boardwalk
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To: bitt; markomalley; DYngbld; TADSLOS; xsrdx; big'ol_freeper; Mark17; mikefive; JDoutrider; ...

Active Duty ping.


6 posted on 05/17/2020 10:26:06 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar
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More secret missions on our dime. Have fun!


7 posted on 05/17/2020 10:30:20 AM PDT by proust (Justice delayed is injustice.)
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To: Boardwalk

Forgot to mention the commander was found dead in his home on the base Peterson in Colorado. He was top dog!


8 posted on 05/17/2020 10:31:21 AM PDT by Boardwalk
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To: bitt

I know what the secret mission is.
I will tell you all later.... : )


9 posted on 05/17/2020 10:35:25 AM PDT by minnesota_bound (homeless guy. He just has more money....He the master will plant more cotton for the democrat party)
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To: immadashell

THE RODS OF GOD!!!!!


10 posted on 05/17/2020 10:38:56 AM PDT by xkaydet65
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To: proust

Military contingencies require secrecy. George Washington understood the need for secrecy and for intelligence. The Battle of Trenton could have been betrayed in a moment by one pair of loose lips.


11 posted on 05/17/2020 10:49:18 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets ("Women's intuition" gave us the Salem witch trials and Kavanaugh hearings. Change my mind.)
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To: SunkenCiv

*ping*


12 posted on 05/17/2020 11:16:30 AM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Dear Mr. Kotter, #Epsteindidntkillhimself - Signed, Epstein's Mother)
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To: Boardwalk

“Col. Thomas Falzarano, 21st Space Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Jacob Simmons, the wing’s command chief, spoke to the Airmen of Thule Air Base, Greenland, during an all call on July 19, 2019. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Longfellow.”

https://www.airforcemag.com/commander-of-petersons-21st-space-wing-found-dead-at-home/


13 posted on 05/17/2020 11:45:28 AM PDT by Pikachu_Dad ("the media are selling you a line of soap)
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To: Pikachu_Dad

I hope an investigation is underway.


14 posted on 05/17/2020 12:03:26 PM PDT by Boardwalk
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To: bitt

Has the XB-37 ever flown a mission that wasn’t “secret”?


15 posted on 05/17/2020 12:12:35 PM PDT by Rebelbase (Democrat politicians prefer death)
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To: bitt

Orbit goes right over the Wuhan LAb and the Spratley Islands.

Significant surgical strike ordnance on board.


16 posted on 05/17/2020 12:46:25 PM PDT by Candor7 (Obama fascism:)
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To: Rebelbase

Hehe... good point.


17 posted on 05/17/2020 1:16:50 PM PDT by Tallguy (Facts be d@mned! The narrative must be protected at all costs!))
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To: Rebelbase
Has the X-37B ever flown a mission that wasn’t “secret”?

Nope. This mission is supposed to be for two years.

18 posted on 05/17/2020 4:08:13 PM PDT by Future Snake Eater (Plans are worthless, but planning is everything. - Dwight Eisenhower, 1957)
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To: bitt
Wish the Space Force had existed when I was still on active duty. I'd have asked for a transfer to it in a split second. Provided my wife didn't throw me out first.
19 posted on 05/17/2020 4:35:31 PM PDT by JoeFromSidney (Colonel (Retired) USAF.)
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To: Candor7

Orbit goes right over the Wuhan LAb and the Spratley Islands.

Significant surgical strike ordnance on board.

__________________________________

I was thinking that maybe US detected a secret space station...A group of space soldiers is being sent to destroy it...Like movie Moonraker....


20 posted on 05/19/2020 5:22:25 PM PDT by L.A.Justice
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