Author Topic: Amateur skywatchers spot secret space plane/rocket  (Read 5194 times)

simking

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Amateur skywatchers spot secret space plane/rocket
« on: May 25, 2010, 04:21:45 AM »
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37303712/ns/technology_and_science-space/

The U.S. Air Force's X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle
Completed..STS 1,8,23,26,27,31,32,47,88

bjbeard

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Re: Amateur skywatchers spot secret space plane/rocket
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2010, 08:54:21 AM »
That could be easily re-worked into a new manned vehicle.

Spacewalker

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Re: Amateur skywatchers spot secret space plane/rocket
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2010, 05:41:51 PM »
That could be easily re-worked into a new manned vehicle.

No, it could not. Look at its size compared to a human:



The X-37B is a lot smaller than the Space Shuttle and way too small to accomodate a crew and all the systems necessary for manned operation.

Here is a link to an article that discusses the potential and feasibility of some probable missions of the X-37B: http://www.secureworldfoundation.org/images/X-37BOTVFactsheet.pdf

Huron_Serenity

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Re: Amateur skywatchers spot secret space plane/rocket
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2010, 09:01:30 PM »
I recommend going to this site: http://www.heavens-above.com/

It'll be a pretty dim object to spot, compared to the ISS, but I hope to manage it sometime this week. Assuming the Air Force doesn't fiddle with the orbit.

As I recall, the X-37B does have a fair amount of fuel for orbital manoeuvres.

Thinking about the X-37B, X-51, and then all the technologies that will hopefully be tested in orbit and at the ISS over the next 5-7 years...pretty exciting times, eh? Shuttle may be ending, but the future looks bright.
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bjbeard

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Re: Amateur skywatchers spot secret space plane/rocket
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2010, 07:03:03 AM »
That could be easily re-worked into a new manned vehicle.

No, it could not.

The basic engineering is what I was talking about. I know the current vehicle is too small for humans. ::) Say it was scaled up 40%.

simking

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Re: Amateur skywatchers spot secret space plane/rocket
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2010, 12:24:44 AM »
I never heard of it till i saw the article.
Completed..STS 1,8,23,26,27,31,32,47,88

Huron_Serenity

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Re: Amateur skywatchers spot secret space plane/rocket
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2010, 05:17:52 AM »
That could be easily re-worked into a new manned vehicle.

No, it could not.

The basic engineering is what I was talking about. I know the current vehicle is too small for humans. ::) Say it was scaled up 40%.

Until the Air Force finds out how much it will cost to refurbish the vehicle after each flight, I think it is premature to discuss scaling it up to a human spacecraft. 
"It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness."