US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit • Hacker News Board

Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit

#11

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Feb 25, 2025, 4:31 AM UTC

metadat wrote: post #8

Why might it be desirable to have an observation craft so far away from the earth? I'm having a hard time imagining the advantage compared to being a bit closer, unless it's a more energy-efficient parking situation while the vehicle isn't in active use.

[deleted]

Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit

#12

Post by unsnap_biceps » Tue, Feb 25, 2025, 4:32 AM UTC

Ars previously covered some additional information on the X-37B

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/10/the-us-militarys-x-37b...

Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit

#13

Post by moandcompany » Tue, Feb 25, 2025, 4:35 AM UTC

acomjean wrote: post #10

The wings say USAF, which is Air Force. Though clearly in space…

The US Space Force was part of the US Air Force until just a few years ago, and a around 75 years ago the US Air Force was the US Army Air Corps.

Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit

#14

Post by lahcim2000 » Tue, Feb 25, 2025, 4:36 AM UTC

How far from earth are they to took that picture?

Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit

#15

Post by deadbabe » Tue, Feb 25, 2025, 4:36 AM UTC

Imagine the next space station being that high up.

Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit

#16

Post by QuarterReptile » Tue, Feb 25, 2025, 4:42 AM UTC

metadat wrote: post #8

Why might it be desirable to have an observation craft so far away from the earth? I'm having a hard time imagining the advantage compared to being a bit closer, unless it's a more energy-efficient parking situation while the vehicle isn't in active use.

I assume better survivability against anti-satellite weapons.

Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit

#17

Post by nxobject » Tue, Feb 25, 2025, 4:43 AM UTC

Given the military heritage of the Space Shuttle, I imagine this is what a hypothetical next generation civilian Space Shuttle might have looked like, too.

Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit

#18

Post by prpl » Tue, Feb 25, 2025, 4:44 AM UTC

metadat wrote: post #8

Why might it be desirable to have an observation craft so far away from the earth? I'm having a hard time imagining the advantage compared to being a bit closer, unless it's a more energy-efficient parking situation while the vehicle isn't in active use.

maybe observing satellites, in real time, in multiple orbits, and yeah, maybe just free parking (and testing orbital transitions).

Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit

#19

Post by aaron695 » Tue, Feb 25, 2025, 4:46 AM UTC

metadat wrote: post #8

Why might it be desirable to have an observation craft so far away from the earth? I'm having a hard time imagining the advantage compared to being a bit closer, unless it's a more energy-efficient parking situation while the vehicle isn't in active use.

[dead]

Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit

#20

Post by SkyPuncher » Tue, Feb 25, 2025, 4:48 AM UTC

metadat wrote: post #8

Why might it be desirable to have an observation craft so far away from the earth? I'm having a hard time imagining the advantage compared to being a bit closer, unless it's a more energy-efficient parking situation while the vehicle isn't in active use.

My understanding is it’s on an offset elliptical orbit. This is essentially the farthest point away from earth with the other end of orbit being very close to Earth.

From a tactical perspective, that means this can interact with basically any other satellite.