Secret X-37B space plane breaks orbit record
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not taken on the moonAAAAAARRRGHH!!!! Giant hazmat guys!!
weltweit
Well-Known Member
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-29669205
Why did I not get the memo about this ..... too small to carry humans, stays up longer than humans would want to, might be spying on us assuming that might be a reason they don't want us to know what it is really doing? ... very intriguing.
Why did I not get the memo about this ..... too small to carry humans, stays up longer than humans would want to, might be spying on us assuming that might be a reason they don't want us to know what it is really doing? ... very intriguing.
Likely that this test was that the ceramic tiles could withstand long term exposure to space. Though I've no doubt that they also used it for other activities, it has a cargo bay that can carry a variety of payloads. The wackiest were that it carried ASATs or some sort of orbital bombardment system. Despite the facts that there are better, cheaper systems for the first, and it's useless for the second.
2hats
Dust.
Off again today at 1605 BST (actually two launch windows today between 1605-1615BST and 1742-1752BST) from Cape Canaveral. The Atlas V rocket will also carry a solar sail experiment into orbit (the planetary society's LightSail test flight, one of several cubesats being orbited today).
Count currently proceeding smoothly for a 1605BST launch. Live coverage here in due course.
e2a: launch windows, links.
Count currently proceeding smoothly for a 1605BST launch. Live coverage here in due course.
e2a: launch windows, links.
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ferrelhadley
There is no love between us anymore.
It has reportedly been doing some maneuvering, so the speculation is its testing a Hall Effect thruster for low altitude spy birds. The other speculation is its prototyping the next generation of sensors, communications equipment or navigation in its cargo bay.
2hats
Dust.
It has almost certainly been doing that. The orbital inclinations for each recent successive mission have gradually been increased, so increasing the extent of the land under surveillance.
2hats
Dust.
A few hours ago the Chinese launched their own orbital reusable spacecraft (probably a X-37-esque "mini shuttle").
spacenews.com
The fun part is that pre-launch calculations suggest it was targeted to/near the same orbital plane as the current USAF X-37B OTV-6 that is aloft...
China carries out secretive launch of ‘reusable experimental spacecraft’
China launched an experimental reusable spacecraft Friday following months of low-key preparations at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
spacenews.com
MrCurry
This is fine
How do you carry out “pre-launch calculations” that allow you to know which orbit a spacecraft is being launched into? I doubt the Chinese are providing any accurate info about where this thing is heading. Sounds like BS.
2hats
Dust.
Based on launch vehicle performance, NOTAMS issued for ascent and drop zones, and launch site location, topographical and geopolitical azimuthal restrictions. Such calculations are computed prelaunch for all manner of classified payloads by third parties. Short of a dogleg correction (only the most powerful 1st/2nd stages can afford to execute such high energy tricks unless the launcher is completely over specified for the payload), the results can be surprising accurate.
I read they appeared to target a few degrees out of plane and inclination but there could be scope for repeat close encounters. It will be interesting to watch.
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