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X-37B To Fly Again

Posted by timothy on from the gets-high-with-a-little-help-from-its-friends dept.

schwit1 writes The May 6 Atlas 5 launch will carry one of the Air Force's two X-37B mini-shuttles on a new mission in space. "The Air Force won't yet confirm which of the Boeing-built spaceplanes will be making the voyage. The first craft returned in October from a 675-day mission in space following a 224 day trek in 2010. OTV No. 2 spent 469 days in space in 2011-2012 on its only mission so far. "The program selects the Orbital Test Vehicle for each activity based upon the experiment objectives," said Capt. Chris Hoyler, an Air Force spokesperson. "Each OTV mission builds upon previous on-orbit demonstrations and expands the test envelope of the vehicle. The test mission furthers the development of the concept of operations for reusable space vehicles." There are indications that the Air Force wants to attempt landing the shuttle at Kennedy this time.

48 comments

  1. More opportunities for amateur observation. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The 'classified' orbits of previous missions have been tracked by many amateur astronomers.

    1. Re:More opportunities for amateur observation. by bobbied · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The 'classified' orbits of previous missions have been tracked by many amateur astronomers.

      It is extremely hard to hide something the size of a pickup truck in orbit no matter what you try to do. The major problem being that there is a very limited amount of sky you can get the object into when you launch from a specific place at a specific time and launches are pretty obvious things. Plus, it takes a lot of energy to make significant changes in orbit if you want to do it over a short time so the people tracking you won't know where to look anymore. I's not that all of these challenges are impossible, it's just that they are expensive to do.

      Makes you wonder though, what we don't actually know about. Something tells me that the Air force has assets in space that are not being tracked by anybody. Surely they have worked on stealth for satellites and have delivery systems that can throw stuff up there without much public notice.

      --
      "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
    2. Re:More opportunities for amateur observation. by stealth_finger · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Makes you wonder though, what we don't actually know about. Something tells me that the Air force has assets in space that are not being tracked by anybody. Surely they have worked on stealth for satellites and have delivery systems that can throw stuff up there without much public notice.

      Even with eyes on this thing who's going to notice when it opens it's door a bit and a few cubesats float out. I'm thinking they already have their stealth delivery system at least.

      --
      Wanna buy a shirt?
      https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
    3. Re:More opportunities for amateur observation. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you read any of john leers stuff or any of the other "secret space program" people some of it actually sounds sort of credible considering the amount of missing cash (in the trillions) given to supposed black budgets..... ...you really need to take all that stuff with the grain of salt though, but still pretty interesting. Leer did seem to tell stories of a folding feather craft design well before virgin began development of their tourist model (with a few photos on his wall that look strangely similar to virgins craft, but this was from the late 80s).

      Also the abrupt closing of the vandenberg USAF shuttle launch site seemed to suggest they had some other alternate means of getting up there. The rabbit hole goes pretty deep on this stuff though (and so does the tin foil hatage).....

    4. Re: More opportunities for amateur observation. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The scary thing about a difficult to detect launch to orbit system is that many launch mechanisms can also be used to lob nuclear warheads.

      If we really have that capability that immediately makes most launch detection schemes obsolete.

    5. Re:More opportunities for amateur observation. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I've just assumed that there's a Cold War-style game of brinkmanship going on in orbit between the U.S., China, and Russia. At least once every year or two you here news about a government satellite mishap. Most recently a Russian satellite "exploded". I'm not saying it was shot down. I just imagined something like the Russians deciding the satellite was worthless and triggered some kind of self-destruct as an experiment and/or warning.

      Considering the thousands of nuclear warheads that Russia and the U.S. have, the hundreds that the Chinese have, plus the Chinese military's ambitions in Asia, I want as many satellites in the sky as possible, whether Chinese, Russian, or American. The three super powers don't have to be buddy-buddy, but I at least want as much _transparency_ as possible. When they start doing too many things in secret, shit can quickly spin out of control.

      I'm guessing that the Russians and Chinese are focusing too much on targeting satellites, and not enough sending up their own satellites. That's not good.

    6. Re:More opportunities for amateur observation. by Zaiff+Urgulbunger · · Score: 1

      All fodder for the next series of the X-Files!

    7. Re: More opportunities for amateur observation. by MachineShedFred · · Score: 1

      What's difficult to detect for amateurs may not be difficult to detect for other space-faring nations. Plus, I'm sure that there's probably notification of a launch given ahead of time to other nuclear powers just to make sure they don't mistake it for something it's not...

      --
      Slashdot still doesnâ(TM)t support Unicode after it was added to the HTML standard in 1997.
    8. Re:More opportunities for amateur observation. by BigFootApe · · Score: 1

      If you read any of john leers stuff or any of the other "secret space program" people some of it actually sounds sort of credible considering the amount of missing cash (in the trillions) given to supposed black budgets..... ...you really need to take all that stuff with the grain of salt though, but still pretty interesting. Leer did seem to tell stories of a folding feather craft design well before virgin began development of their tourist model (with a few photos on his wall that look strangely similar to virgins craft, but this was from the late 80s).

      Also the abrupt closing of the vandenberg USAF shuttle launch site seemed to suggest they had some other alternate means of getting up there. The rabbit hole goes pretty deep on this stuff though (and so does the tin foil hatage).....

      They made something else for getting up there. It was called Titan IV.

    9. Re:More opportunities for amateur observation. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think I was referring to man rated. But since everyone wants to be boring today....

    10. Re: More opportunities for amateur observation. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Right, but the post I was replying to seemed to be talking about secrecy from anyone, not just amateurs. If we did have a way of doing this, Russia would likely freak out worse than when they found out about "Star Wars". And they would probably already know...

    11. Re:More opportunities for amateur observation. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You may be able to hide some stuff from "amateur astronomers". I.e. launch a big item (test vehicle), nobody sees a few small spy sats. But you're only hiding this from the amateurs. Interested nations have this nifty stuff called radar, and several other expensive but accurate modes of observation.

    12. Re:More opportunities for amateur observation. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And you're an idiot.

      This was from 2004.

    13. Re: More opportunities for amateur observation. by cavreader · · Score: 1

      You don't need nukes if launching from orbit. A heavy metal (DU) rod with an ablative layer will do the job and you won't need to worry about any fall out.

  2. These are the classified voyages by DarkOx · · Score: 4, Funny

    Earth orbit: the not so final frontier
    These are the classified voyages of the X-37B
    Its two-year mission: to proxy for penis size, to consume massive wealth, and create bold new deficits, to quietly go where many have gone before.

    --
    Repeal the 17th Amendment TODAY! Also Please Read http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html
    1. Re:These are the classified voyages by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Massive" wealth. Like a day's worth of military sitting in Iraq.

      Only one is actually beneficial.

    2. Re:These are the classified voyages by dotancohen · · Score: 1

      These are the classified voyages of the X-37B

      Amusing that the classified DoD payloads are launched with an RD-180 engine.

      --
      It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.
    3. Re:These are the classified voyages by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Even more ironic is that we give massive subsidies to United Launch Alliance to maintain launch capability, and they turn around and use the money to buy Russian engines. That's cost effective, but then why are we paying through the nose to ULA?

    4. Re:These are the classified voyages by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Air Force is actually phasing out the ULA now.

    5. Re:These are the classified voyages by Fire_Wraith · · Score: 1

      I'd much rather have the X37-B than the F-35. It's cheaper, and accomplishes a lot more (even without knowing whatever secret squirrel missions it's actually doing) as flying boondoggles/massive gifts to defense contractors go.

  3. No real mystery here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Sorry, this is way over blown as a mystery. The Air Force obviously is using this craft as a more flexible spying device. Whereas satellites generally have a pre defined orbit. I imagine the X37B can change orbit on cue and monitor hot spots around the world. I doubt highly it has any more abilities then that. Given the issues with gathering intelligence on the ground in some areas like Iran. Its no surprise that the military is looking for ways to gain access to Countries who may be more difficult to infiltrate on the ground. The X37B is a obvious choice given that it can sustain itself for a long time in space. Plus it can return to Earth to be upgraded and refreshed. Truly a spy craft that is very efficient.

    1. Re:No real mystery here by rossdee · · Score: 1

      They probably have a more modern sensor package than the spy satellites that have been up there for a few years.

    2. Re:No real mystery here by Dan+East · · Score: 1

      I'm sure it's doing more than that. It has a payload bay like the space shuttle. Certainly it is doing spying, but it's very likely that it is actively testing new technology that has to make up for the loss of capability that the Space Shuttle provided. More than likely it launches micro satellites, then locates and tracks them, and finally recaptures them. It could also be launching a larger payload of some kind, then manipulating the payload with a robotic arm, etc.

      --
      Better known as 318230.
    3. Re:No real mystery here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is of course currently being used as a flexible spying device, but I highly doubt that is why it was commissioned. There simply isn't much purpose for bringing back your spy satellite every year or so, not when for the cost of this thing, its payload and the launch vehicle every few years you could probably put a brand new, more capable, more maneuverable and cheaper spy satellite every 6 months. The Air Force obviously wants to maintain a launch system with variable payload and return capability. Why? Who knows, could be just to burn money on a defense contractor, maybe satellite recovery/maintenance, maybe space based weapons, but even the Air Force isn't foolish enough to think that a recoverable spy satellite is a cost effective endeavor when you're burning $400 Million plus on each launch vehicle (at least for now).

    4. Re:No real mystery here by occasional_dabbler · · Score: 1
      The AC has it right.

      A result of the thousands upon thousands of war simulations will have shown that a space recovery system has a tactical advantage. If the advantage is sufficient, then you build yourself one. War is a numbers game.

      --
      "Our opponent is an alien starship packed with atomic bombs," I said. "we have a protractor"
    5. Re:No real mystery here by matfud · · Score: 1

      It was originally designed to be launched from within the space shuttles payload bay. Optical spy sats were at an optical limit a long time ago. You can't make a bigger mirror that works and can be launched. You can use Interferometry to get a better image with a wide dispersal of elements but at optical wavelengths that is very difficult and if you want to do it you do not need a reusable craft. It can maneuver but then most satellites used for earth gazing can as well (and they do not have to have the extra mass needed to come down to earth again)

      Unless the cost of the equipment or data on it is more than the cost of launching it by a large margin. So bringing it back is worth while.

    6. Re:No real mystery here by DerekLyons · · Score: 1

      Whereas satellites generally have a pre defined orbit.

      Um.... the X-37B is a satellite.
       

      I imagine the X37B can change orbit on cue and monitor hot spots around the world.

      Too lazy to go look up the exact numbers, but conventional recce birds have been doing that on a regular basis since the 1970's.

  4. I hope the guy who made the pic isn't in charge! by Qbertino · · Score: 3, Funny

    I hope the guy who made the picture isn't in charge. I accidentally clicked on the article. That image nearly sent me in a coma.

    --
    We suffer more in our imagination than in reality. - Seneca
  5. meh. by Thud457 · · Score: 2

    This clunky spacebot has no style. Everybody knows that the ultimate vehicle for reentry and soft landing is shaped exactly like a 1959 Corvette.

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

    1. Re:meh. by auric_dude · · Score: 3, Informative

      ZZ Top had the right idea all those years ago https://upload.wikimedia.org/w...

    2. Re:meh. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This clunky spacebot has no style. Everybody knows that the ultimate vehicle for reentry and soft landing is shaped exactly like a 1959 Corvette.

      I believe that to be how The Stig arrived on Earth.

    3. Re:meh. by gmhowell · · Score: 1

      This clunky spacebot has no style. Everybody knows that the ultimate vehicle for reentry and soft landing is shaped exactly like a 1959 Corvette.

      Just don't bring the green orb with you.

      --
      Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
    4. Re:meh. by sconeu · · Score: 1

      Only if you happen to be carrying the Loc-Nar with you.

      --
      General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
    5. Re:meh. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A 1959 Corvette...or even better, an Edsel.

    6. Re:meh. by GTRacer · · Score: 1

      /Thank/ you! Somebody gets it! Well, you and sconeu below ^^

      --
      Defending IP by destroying access to it? That makes sense, RIAA/MPAA. Go to the corner until you can play nice!
    7. Re:meh. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs4...

    8. Re:meh. by gmhowell · · Score: 1

      Weird coincidence: watched part of it last night. (Through Harry the cabbie. Too tired to watch any more)

      --
      Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
  6. Farscape One by samwichse · · Score: 1

    Hm, only 675 days? Crichton wasn't supposed to find his way back to earth for real until the 4th season (unless you count when he accidentally showed up before he left).

    Sam

  7. The real question is... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What are these things doing in space for so long? surveillance, space maneuvering tests, experiments in space?

    1. Re:The real question is... by budgenator · · Score: 1

      It's not doing anything, it can't, it goes goes up and comes down a few months later, but nobody will believe it so they watch it like a hawk while it just floats around in space.

      --
      Apocalypse Cancelled, Sorry, No Ticket Refunds
  8. You just need a laser by jmcwork · · Score: 1

    with a targeting system and and you can vaporize a small target from space: The Crossbow project.

    1. Re:You just need a laser by RoverDaddy · · Score: 1

      Everybody wants to rule the world.

      --
      RETURN without GOSUB in line 1050
  9. Love That Little Bird by Toad-san · · Score: 2

    Just think of it. For ANYTHING to work flawlessly (I guess: it returned, didn't it?) for 675 days. Let me repeat that: Six Hundred And Seventy Five Days! Hell, my damned TV won't run that long without a reboot! Amazing, absolutely amazing.

    http://www.phantomreport.com/w...

    Heh, I don't know why, but the nose wheel chocks just look so "normal" you know? Like it was a C-152 or something.

    Love that little bird: no drama, no fuss, no schoolteachers in space suits. Just a little spaceship that you load up on top of a Centaur, blast it into orbit, and then check on it every year or so while it does whatever it does.

    And then land, check the tire pressure, clean the windows .. no wait, it doesn't HAVE any windows! Top off the coolant .. and do it again!

    1. Re:Love That Little Bird by occasional_dabbler · · Score: 2
      I doubt it worked flawlessly, but certainly to get back to Earth in a servicable state has to be a major part of its success criteria. It is an amazing machine, just sad that we can't get a 'Popular Mechanics' cutaway to drool over.

      The days of human pilots are certainly numbered.

      --
      "Our opponent is an alien starship packed with atomic bombs," I said. "we have a protractor"
  10. Re:I hope the guy who made the pic isn't in charge by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What? You RTFA? The picture is your punishment for that.

  11. Re:I hope the guy who made the pic isn't in charge by 605dave · · Score: 1

    Agreed. Government agencies have no taste in design. The Snowden leaks proved that no one with that bad of taste in Power Points should have that kind of power.

    But you have to like the red, white, and blue exhaust trail. Very patriotic.

    --
    Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a difficult battle. - Plato
  12. Re:I hope the guy who made the pic isn't in charge by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Well no, obviously she got her kid to do it and a fine job it is for a 5 year old too. Nice touch, the symbolism of the big star and multiple smaller stars, hint hint...