Posted on 12/08/2010 9:06:47 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
After 244 days in space since its launch April 22 from Cape Canaveral, Fla., the X-37B orbital test vehicle landing marks the Air Force's latest step in experimental test missions to improve the service's space capabilities, officials said here Dec. 6.
The 11,000-pound OTV made an autonomous landing at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Dec. 3 at 1:16 a.m., allowing the Air Force to begin evaluation of its functions as a satellite communications, weather and material technology asset, said Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for Space Programs Richard McKinney.
"We're in a very serious and important business of providing national security space capabilities for our nation," Mr. McKinney said. "Some of those capabilities are state-of-the-art, highly complex and very technical, ... and for its first flight, we're extremely pleased with the outcome of the X-37B."
Mr. McKinney said the ability to examine such high-tech technologies as space situational awareness, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and satellite development before they're made operational is a long-sought-after capability that the X-37B provides.
"Now we can test those capabilities long in advance of putting them in operational space," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at asdnews.com ...
Ping.
For those interested:
Video: X-37B Landing at Vandenberg AFB
http://www.cosmolearning.com/documentaries/x-37b-orbital-test-vehicle-otv-1638/7/
As well as the Post Landing Inspection Video:
http://www.cosmolearning.com/documentaries/x-37b-orbital-test-vehicle-otv-1638/8/
Historical landing? Guess they ignore the Soviet Buran shuttle landing and the fact that the US Space Shuttle practically lands itself.
Neither of those craft were on orbit for a seven month stretch.
I have not seen video of the landing or inspection of the craft. Thank you for posting this.
:)
In case you don’t know, you could track OTV-1 at this site:
I assume we will be able to also track OTV-2 this spring, at least when the AF allows the public to know the vehicle’s location...
Ok, then substitute the Soyuz, since they have remained in orbit for more than 7 months at a time. Still a stretch to call this a historic flight.
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.