Posted on 03/05/2012 7:05:31 PM PST by U-238
The U.S. Air Force's second X-37B space plane marked one year in orbit Monday, continuing its clandestine mission more than 200 miles above Earth.
The robotic spacecraft's purpose is secret, but Air Force officials acknowledge the vehicle is performing well one year after it blasted off on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket on March 5, 2011.
"We are very pleased with the results of the on-going X-37B experiments," said Lt. Col. Tom McIntyre, X-37B program director in the Air Force's Rapid Capabilities Office. "The X-37B program is setting the standard for a reusable space plane and, on this one-year orbital milestone, has returned great value on the experimental investment."
The X-37B space plane, also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle, features an unpressurized cargo bay about the size of the bed of a pickup truck. The Air Force has not disclosed its contents, only saying the mission is experimenting with the spacecraft, which is flying on its second mission.
(Excerpt) Read more at spaceflightnow.com ...
I wonder when it will crash land (ever so softly) in Iran?
China’s future strategy will center on hacking and new anti-sat tech, a lot of stuff we haven’t yet seen. China would try to paralyze and blind us, rather than slugging it out, toe-to-toe.
I think the USA is wondering about potential countermeasures, and the exact nature of satellite threats.
That’s just my guess.
They’re simulating threats and cooking up defenses, and probably also evaluating the way that attacks against China’s satellites might me done.
One Year! Wow! I didn’t know we did anything that wasn’t short sited and immediate gratification any more.
I can go to bed happy.
All it does is drop an occasional tungsten rod out of the belly.
BS
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