PDA

View Full Version : US Air Force's Secretive Space Plane.....



MMC
01-22-2012, 01:46 AM
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Boeing_X-37B_inside_payload_fairing_before_launch.jpg/300px-Boeing_X-37B_inside_payload_fairing_before_launch.jpg
The United States Air Force's secretive X-37B space plane has been circling Earth for more than 10 months, and there's no telling when it might come down.

As of Friday (Jan. 20), the mysterious robotic X-37B spacecraft (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AisnFLk8YUO7nIsCwewroC8bANEA;_ylu=X3oDMTFqMDg xZXM0BG1pdANBcnRpY2xlIEJvZHkEcG9zAzEEc2VjA01lZGlhQ XJ0aWNsZUJvZHlBc3NlbWJseQ--;_ylg=X3oDMTA1bmkzZDc4BHRlc3QD;_ylv=0/SIG=1325to2sv/EXP=1328423477/**http%3A//www.space.com/13763-x37b-sercret-air-force-space-plane-record-time.html) has been aloft for 321 days, significantly outlasting its stated mission design lifetime of 270 days. But it may stay up for even longer yet, experts say, particularly if the military views this space mission — the second ever for the hush-hush vehicle — as something of an endurance test.

The X-37B looks a lot like NASA's now-retired space shuttle (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/SIG=12vose1ac/EXP=1328423477/**http%3A//www.space.com/11319-nasa-space-shuttle-program-pictures-tribute.html), only much smaller. The unmanned vehicle is about 29 feet long by 15 feet wide (8.8 by 4.5 meters), with a payload bay the size of a pickup truck bed. For comparison, two entire X-37Bs could fit inside the payload bay of a space shuttle.

Just what the X-37B does for so long while circling our planet remains a mystery, because the space plane's payloads and missions are classified.
Partly as a result of the secrecy, some concern has been raised — particularly by Russia and China — that the X-37B might be a space weapon (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/SIG=125rer13p/EXP=1328423477/**http%3A//www.space.com/19-top-10-space-weapons.html) of some sort. But the Air Force has repeatedly denied that charge, claiming that the vehicle's chief task is testing out new technologies for future satellite.

The Air Force doesn’t disclose the X-37B's orbital parameters, but amateur observers have tracked the movements of both OTV-1 and OTV-2. They've found that OTV-2 is not looping around Earth in a polar orbit, which enables a good look at every spot on the globe.

Rather, the spacecraft is flying repeatedly over the stretch of Earth from 43 degrees north latitude to 43 degrees south latitude. Weeden thinks the space plane may be observing the Middle East and Afghanistan with some brand-new spy gear, perhaps instruments optimized to observe in wavelengths beyond the visible-light spectrum.....snip~

http://news.yahoo.com/mystery-surrounds-air-forces-secretive-x-37b-space-132202984.html

Been up there for the last ten months circling the planet. We deny it is a weapon. But all that is doen with it is classified. Also this craft allegedly sighted whatever it was that dropped down into our atmosphere looking like stromfront. Again we are not being told what is or was up with this issue. Course it is not a secret that we have it. Just what it is doing.

MMC
01-22-2012, 01:48 AM
http://pocamadrenews.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/x-37b.jpg

MMC
01-22-2012, 01:50 AM
http://www.murdoconline.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/x-37b.jpg

MMC
01-22-2012, 01:52 AM
http://www.zdnet.co.uk/i/z5/illo/nw/story_graphics/11feb/spy-planes/spy-plane-x-37b-usaf-6.jpg

MMC
01-22-2012, 03:36 PM
Two of these can fit in a Reg Space Shuttle. Also the US Air Force just got doen sending up a newer satellite with respects to better tech.....and our listening devices.

wingrider
01-22-2012, 07:35 PM
I guess what it is doing up there would depend on which hemisphere it is spying on.. can you say the United States? it would not be too much of s stretch to think this could be part of homland security and the Patriot act.. now I am no paranoid as some would have you believe .. but the feds have done nothing in the last 12 years but become more and more agressive in their dealings with the American civilliberties and freedoms..

time will tell but .. as the old expression goes.. keep your friends close and your enemies closer

MMC
01-22-2012, 08:05 PM
You know you're right.....there would be no reason not to believe they wouldn't.

Elibe
01-22-2012, 08:08 PM
i think it is iran

they have enough cameras and bug our phones, the patriot act et cetera so they can spy on things here without needing to do it from outer space

MMC
01-22-2012, 08:39 PM
To tell you the truth there are satellites up all over the place. While I am sure they might be using this for flights over Iran and the ME. I am sure when something pops up here they have satellites move right in and pick up the scoop.

Conley
01-24-2012, 02:20 PM
I am no fan of the government spying on us. You all know that. However I am glad we at least have some projects going into space and a somewhat passable substitute for the Shuttle now that they have been grounded. I don't really understand why the Shuttles were killed or what they will do with those incredible machines (Craigslist? :grin:) but I will always remember being awed by them both as a kid and an adult. They were always something I associated with America that no other country had and they made us all proud.

MMC
01-24-2012, 02:56 PM
I am no fan of the government spying on us. You all know that. However I am glad we at least have some projects going into space and a somewhat passable substitute for the Shuttle now that they have been grounded. I don't really understand why the Shuttles were killed or what they will do with those incredible machines (Craigslist? :grin:) but I will always remember being awed by them both as a kid and an adult. They were always something I associated with America that no other country had and they made us all proud.


Heya even Georgio says he would tell others to go and watch a lift off. That it is an incredible display of power and technology! :wink:

Conley
01-24-2012, 03:01 PM
Haha, even Georgio has to give HUMANS some props for that awesomeness. :grin:

MMC
01-24-2012, 03:21 PM
Myself I have never seen one. Other than from the televison. Many say they can feel the power of the Rocket. Must be incredible to feel and be part of it.

Conley
01-24-2012, 03:26 PM
Myself I have never seen one. Other than from the televison. Many say they can feel the power of the Rocket. Must be incredible to feel and be part of it.

It is the same for me. I've never even been to Florida, except flying through the airport in Miami.