X-35B Space Plane

N

napamule

Charter Member
Anybody heard? It's supposed to return from space today, Friday, and land at Vandenburg, CA (depending on weather). Type this in Google search: 'x-37b space plane pictures' . Lots of pics, etc. Am surprised no one has even mentioned it. I guess if it don't shoot bullets.... (just kidding).
Chuck B
Napamule
 
Lionheart said:
I wonder if it went to Mars and just made it back...
Click to expand...

Sorry, Bill.
It was spotted after it was launched last year on March 5th.
Folks on the ground that follow satellites as a hobby, had been actively tracking it since then.
It's been in low orbit the whole time:
http://www.space.com/11240-video-secret-x37b-space-plane-skywatchers.html

This vehicle isn't used for exploration of space, more than likely reconnaissance work.
Probably not ground reconnaissance either, but space.
The Chinese claim its a space based weapons platform.
Could be an anti-satellite weapon/defense, the Chinese tested their own in 2007:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/18/world/asia/18cnd-china.html?_r=1

It was mostly developed in the mid to late 90's and put on a shelf due to funding.
I think when the need arose it was taken off the shelf and placed into orbit with the smaller X37A first in 2010.

More info on the landing this weekend:
http://www.space.com/16157-air-force-x37b-space-plane-landing-weekend.html

Anyway, just my thoughts.





 
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