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X-37B breaks record, lands after 780 days in orbit
USAF ^ | October 27, 2019 | Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

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


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: aviation; elonmusk; falcon9; falconheavy; spacex; usaf; x37b
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To: Tallguy

That is very cool.


41 posted on 10/27/2019 12:31:31 PM PDT by Track9
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To: TangoLimaSierra

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.


42 posted on 10/27/2019 12:36:36 PM PDT by SamAdams76
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To: gibsonguy

LOL

I then reminded myself after laughing that I just ‘dated’ myself!


43 posted on 10/27/2019 12:40:04 PM PDT by Notthereyet (NotThereYet)
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To: BenLurkin

I wonder if there a few more of these than we know about. Seems they might be useful in the Space Force.


44 posted on 10/27/2019 12:43:24 PM PDT by Vermont Lt
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To: BenLurkin

“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!”


45 posted on 10/27/2019 12:46:02 PM PDT by Tucker39 ("It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." George Washington)
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To: freedumb2003

It’s our in space command and control center.


46 posted on 10/27/2019 12:52:04 PM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (When you think about what the left is doing to America, think no further than Cloward-Piven)
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To: TangoLimaSierra
Soooo, what exactly does it do for 780 days in space, hmmm?

By then it learns how to cheat....LOL!

47 posted on 10/27/2019 12:55:02 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (I'm in the cleaning business.......I launder money)
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To: SamAdams76
Well I'm sure the astronauts

You do realize this is an unmanned spacecraft?

48 posted on 10/27/2019 1:08:35 PM PDT by Mogger
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To: Mogger
I did not know that. I guess no books got read then.

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.

49 posted on 10/27/2019 1:12:48 PM PDT by SamAdams76
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To: SamAdams76

The TV series was good.


50 posted on 10/27/2019 1:14:34 PM PDT by 2111USMC (Aim Small Miss Small)
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To: xp38

Space Shuttle,,
Yup.
Sure looks Like one,
not like those
Humpedback Drones!


51 posted on 10/27/2019 1:14:39 PM PDT by Big Red Badger (Despised by the Despicable!)
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To: null and void

“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.


52 posted on 10/27/2019 1:15:38 PM PDT by CodeToad (Arm Up! They Are!)
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To: gibsonguy

Yup,
Ginger
Or
Maryanne?


53 posted on 10/27/2019 1:17:15 PM PDT by Big Red Badger (Despised by the Despicable!)
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To: null and void

Similar to open carry... An implied promise of violent response to attack...


54 posted on 10/27/2019 1:17:57 PM PDT by SuperLuminal (Where is Sam Adams now that we desperately need him)
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To: BobL

“Learn” by extracting them into the bay and re-entry. Pac Man of satellites and sat-weapons.


55 posted on 10/27/2019 1:29:20 PM PDT by John S Mosby (Sic Semper Tyrannis)
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To: John S Mosby

That is an option...with that design. I just hope we build a fleet of them - then things will be REAL FUN!


56 posted on 10/27/2019 1:30:52 PM PDT by BobL (I eat at McDonald's and shop at Walmart - I just don't te Don'tll anyone.)
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To: null and void

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.


57 posted on 10/27/2019 1:35:29 PM PDT by John S Mosby (Sic Semper Tyrannis)
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To: John S Mosby

WONDERFUL!


58 posted on 10/27/2019 1:41:36 PM PDT by null and void (Convicted spies are shot, traitors are hanged, saboteurs are subject to summary execution...)
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To: PIF

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.


59 posted on 10/27/2019 1:41:47 PM PDT by John S Mosby (Sic Semper Tyrannis)
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To: Tucker39

“Today marks an incredibly exciting day for the 45th Space Wing,


Well then, focus on these wards, wonderful when said by Trump aren’t they?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/45th_Space_Wing


60 posted on 10/27/2019 1:42:28 PM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Thinking Caps are no longer being issued but there must be a warehouse full of them somewhere.)
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