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 wont 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 Forces 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.
Sundays launch was dedicated to health care workers and others on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
P
A load of military “science” for sure.
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.
Active Duty ping.
More secret missions on our dime. Have fun!
Forgot to mention the commander was found dead in his home on the base Peterson in Colorado. He was top dog!
I know what the secret mission is.
I will tell you all later.... : )
THE RODS OF GOD!!!!!
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.
*ping*
“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/
I hope an investigation is underway.
Has the XB-37 ever flown a mission that wasn’t “secret”?
Orbit goes right over the Wuhan LAb and the Spratley Islands.
Significant surgical strike ordnance on board.
Hehe... good point.
Nope. This mission is supposed to be for two years.
Orbit goes right over the Wuhan LAb and the Spratley Islands.
Significant surgical strike ordnance on board.
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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....
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