Posted on 10/27/2019 11:15:29 AM PDT by BenLurkin
The Air Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Mission 5 successfully landed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility Oct. 27, 2019 at 3:51 a.m.
The spaceplane conducted on-orbit experiments for 780 days during its mission, recently breaking its own record by being in orbit for more than two years. As of today, the total number of days spent on-orbit for the entire test vehicle program is 2,865 days.
“The X-37B continues to demonstrate the importance of a reusable spaceplane,” said Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett. “Each successive mission advances our nation’s space capabilities.”
This is the Air Force’s premier reusable and unmanned spacecraft, providing the performance and flexibility to improve technologies in a way that allows scientists and engineers to recover experiments tested in a long-duration space environment.
“The safe return of this spacecraft, after breaking its own endurance record, is the result of the innovative partnership between Government and Industry,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein. “The sky is no longer the limit for the Air Force and, if Congress approves, the U.S. Space Force.”
Managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, the X-37B program performs risk reduction, experimentation and concept of operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies.
“This program continues to push the envelope as the world’s only reusable space vehicle. With a successful landing today, the X-37B completed its longest flight to date and successfully completed all mission objectives,” said Randy Walden, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office director. “This mission successfully hosted Air Force Research Laboratory experiments, among others, as well as providing a ride for small satellites.”
The distinctive ability to test new systems in space and return them to Earth is unique to the X-37B program and enables the U.S. to more efficiently and effectively develop space capabilities necessary to maintain superiority in the space domain.
“This spacecraft is a key component of the space community. This milestone demonstrates our commitment to conducting experiments for America’s future space exploration,” said Lt. Col. Jonathan Keen, X-37B program manager. “Congratulations to the X-37B team for a job well done.”
This will be the second time the X-37B landed at the Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility--Mission 4 landed after 718 days in orbit. The spaceplane was designed for an on-orbit duration of 270 days.
“Today marks an incredibly exciting day for the 45th Space Wing,” said Brig. Gen. Doug Schiess, 45th Space Wing commander. “Our team has been preparing for this event, and I am extremely proud to see their hard work and dedication culminate in today’s safe and successful landing of the X-37B.”
The fifth mission launched on Sept. 7, 2017 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on-board a Space X Falcon 9 booster, and the U.S. Air Force is preparing to launch the sixth X-37B mission from CCAFS in 2020.
Editor's note: For more imagery, visit our X-37B feature page: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/X37BOTV
That is very cool.
I am sure they are FreeCell experts. Or is this Solitaire? I can’t tell. I’m a blackjack person myself. Alway double down on 11. Except when dealer has a 10 or ace.
LOL
I then reminded myself after laughing that I just ‘dated’ myself!
I wonder if there a few more of these than we know about. Seems they might be useful in the Space Force.
“Today marks an incredibly exciting day for the 45th Space Wing,” said Brig. Gen. Doug Schiess, 45th Space Wing commander.....”. I’m not trying to be funny here. But depending how that general pronounces his name, it’s mighty much like the PA Dutch word for aaah, er, umm, fecal matter. As in “bull schiess!”
It’s our in space command and control center.
By then it learns how to cheat....LOL!
You do realize this is an unmanned spacecraft?
Pity. I'm reading the "Song of Ice And Fire" - which is known as "Game of Thrones" on the TV set (for those who still have one)
Not bad book series. Never seen the TV show.
The TV series was good.
Space Shuttle,,
Yup.
Sure looks Like one,
not like those
Humpedback Drones!
“Soooo, what exactly does it do for 780 days in space, hmmm?”
What would be hilarious is if it carried nothing, the AF was only seeing how long they could keep it in space.
Yup,
Ginger
Or
Maryanne?
Similar to open carry... An implied promise of violent response to attack...
“Learn” by extracting them into the bay and re-entry. Pac Man of satellites and sat-weapons.
That is an option...with that design. I just hope we build a fleet of them - then things will be REAL FUN!
A relative once answered a long ‘questionairre’ visit by a
GreenPeace fundraiser, back when they came door to door-—
listened to the spiel about save the whales... etc, and then said, in solid Southern— “ I luuuuv green peas... wid budder!, what the hell do they have to do with whales? We don’t never eat whale meat!”
Never forgot it— the look on her face.
WONDERFUL!
GSV= General Systems Vehicle? Like from Science Fiction—”The Culture” a fictional interstellar post-scarcity civilisation or society created by the Scottish writer Iain M. Banks?
GSV supplies other.. sector vehicles, steerable, targetable supplies etc. Unlike the sci fi— not possessing AI.
Random thoughts- no answer is OK. OpSec.
“Today marks an incredibly exciting day for the 45th Space Wing,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/45th_Space_Wing
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