SpaceX Will Launch Secretive X-37B Spaceplane's Next Mission (latimes.com)

schwit1 quotes a report from Los Angeles Times: SpaceX will launch the Air Force's X-37B experimental spaceplane later this year, in the military's latest vote of confidence in the Elon Musk-led space company. This will be the first time SpaceX has launched the uncrewed robotic vehicle. United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp., has launched the spaceplane's previous four missions atop one of its Atlas V rockets. The Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, which is responsible for the X-37B's experimental operations, said it was "very excited" for the fifth flight, which will test how special electronics and heat pipes will fare during a long-duration space mission. The Air Force has two of the spaceplanes, which look like miniature versions of the space shuttle and are known officially as X-37B Orbital Test Vehicles. The first X-37B was launched in 2010.

Comments

Re:"Vote of confidence"

[Rei]

Indeed. And I'm sure they have quite a bit of money wrapped up in the X-37B.

Re:Secrets... are only secrets when you keep them

[sphealey]

= = = Can't be too secretive, I just read an article about it. = = =

So what exactly does it do then?

Re:"Vote of confidence"

[bill_mcgonigle]

It's the US Military - cost is not a factor.

What excites the USAF brass is SpaceX turnaround. Musk is targeting 24 hrs for a Falcon 9b5 turnaround; with any extra capacity he could put another X37B into orbit with a few days' notice. That is tremendously advantageous for space soldiers and spies.