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Secretive Air Force X-37B Robotic Space Plane May Be Nearing Mission’s End.
space.com ^ | 11/22/2010 | Leonard David

Posted on 11/27/2010 9:31:39 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld

A U.S. Air Force robotic space plane continues to maneuver in Earth orbit, according to the latest observations from skywatchers. The reusable space drone has been carrying out tasks using a suite of classified sensors and may be nearing its mission's end, according to comments from Air Force officials.

The spacecraft is the Air Force's X-37B space plane, also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle 1, which launched on its maiden flight on April 22 atop an Atlas 5 rocket.

The winged orbiter's mission has been shrouded in secrecy, but Air Force officials have said it was built for 270-day spaceflights, suggesting that it may be in the flight homestretch and preparing to make an atmospheric re-entry and landing – all on autopilot.

(Excerpt) Read more at space.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aerospace; spaceplane; usaf; usairforce; x37

1 posted on 11/27/2010 9:31:44 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
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It has two landing spots. Either Vandenberg AFB or Edwards AFB.


2 posted on 11/27/2010 9:32:28 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
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To: ErnstStavroBlofeld

Bflr.


3 posted on 11/27/2010 9:33:06 PM PST by rdl6989 (January 20, 2013- The end of an error.)
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To: 1COUNTER-MORTER-68; Mr. Mojo; James C. Bennett; mowowie; Captain Beyond; darkwing104; JRios1968; ...

Ping


4 posted on 11/27/2010 9:33:29 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
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Rumor has it that Edwards installed a brand new paved runway.


5 posted on 11/27/2010 9:38:20 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
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To: ErnstStavroBlofeld

I would bet on White Sands.


6 posted on 11/27/2010 9:41:30 PM PST by CCGuy (USAF (Ret.))
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To: CCGuy

Edwards and Vandenberg recently installed new runways.


7 posted on 11/27/2010 9:42:45 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
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To: CCGuy

My money is on Compton maybe Van Nuys...


8 posted on 11/27/2010 9:55:14 PM PST by The Magical Mischief Tour
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To: ErnstStavroBlofeld

... or Area-51.


9 posted on 11/28/2010 5:44:19 AM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
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To: ErnstStavroBlofeld

10 posted on 11/28/2010 1:59:03 PM PST by TXnMA (seeB S lies...)
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To: SandRat

They have a huge runway. But Edwards recently had a brand new runway installed and Vandenberg had a new runway installed. Edwards would be logical because of its history of X-Planes and secret aircraft.


11 posted on 11/28/2010 6:17:08 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
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