Posted on 07/30/2019 8:11:26 AM PDT by C19fan
Think of the X-37B as the Space Shuttles smaller, younger brother and you wouldnt be wrong.
With its bullet-like shape, stubby wings, and two tone black and white appearance, the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle looks like a smaller, cuter version of the manned orbiter that served NASA for decades. Thats where the comparison ends though: property of the U.S. Air Force, the secretive, unmanned X-37B is built to spend months in orbit, carrying out classified missions on behalf of Americas military space program.
(Excerpt) Read more at popularmechanics.com ...
...but if it’s aliens, we need to give them free health care (sarc).
Not much of a secret if we are reading about it.
What kind of leg room does it have?
Please be using it to attach a remotely detonated, space equivalent of Limpet mines to enemy satellites.
Just a smokescreen to keep the Proles from getting interested in the TR3B, the triangular Real Thing.
If this is what we’re talking about the government has something way more advanced.
CC
Refueling spy satellites.
In Popular Mechanics, yet. This is obviously a spy magazine.
rwood
Phoenix, DARPA's Satellite-Recycling Program
This concept could certainly be used to disassemble enemy satellites as well.
Why does it have a heat shield?
It’s reusable. It can re-enter the atmosphere and land like the shuttle did. It’s existence isn’t a secret, but what it’s been doing is. It spends months and months in orbit.
by 2050 space planes will be available to private parties. 1 hour NY to LA 4:35 around the world. No local domestic flights under 2700 miles.
I could ride in the back....if theres enough leg room.
I hate being jammed into an airline seat with some little kid playing horsie in the seat in front of me.
Maybe I could use my skymiles to fly on it.
gotcha.
Its existence isnt a secret, but what its been doing is. It spends months and months in orbit
Most Culture General Service Vehicles are about 100km by 50km with several million passengers.
What;s secret is who the X37B is dealing with and what the exchange cargo is. Could be Special Circumstances but that’s just a guess. As fro the cargo ... its anyone’s guess
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.