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US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit
21–30 of 109 posts
Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit
#22I can't be the only one who, when I read "space force" hears a deep, reverb-heavy, Buck Rogers kind of voice going "spaaaaaaaace foooooooorce"
a pretty good satire of the whole thing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Force_(TV_series)
Space Force song written just after the announcement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AUXpnB065o
Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit
#23Why 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.
With a far point so far away from Earth it also means that it requires only tiny amounts of fuel for major orbit changes.
Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit
#24Why 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.
One use for highly elliptical orbits is being able to linger over some part of the earth for longer periods.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molniya_orbit
I haven't seen the orbital parameters of the X-37, so it may be in an elliptical orbit for some other reason, such as spying on or interfering with geostationary satellites or who knows what else.
Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit
#25When even your secret programs have to do marketing. Don’t cancel me bro!
In the book Skunk Works, Ben Rich laments that Lockheed was often passed over for contracts and missions because their achievements were so classified that the various branches of the military didn't know that things like stealth technology were possible, let alone already in production. Sometimes weren't even invited to bid on projects to develop technology that they'd already developed.
Marketing of secret projects is a tricky business!
Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit
#26[flagged]
The X-37B was lifted into orbit by a Falcon Heavy...so yes. See how that works?
Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit
#27[deleted]
Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit
#28That looks... out there. Is it parked at a Lagrange point?
Article mentions that it's in a highly elliptical orbit.
Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit
#29Given the military heritage of the Space Shuttle, I imagine this is what a hypothetical next generation civilian Space Shuttle might have looked like, too.
Are there any books to read that talk about the military missions of the Space Shuttle?
Re: US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit
#30Given the military heritage of the Space Shuttle, I imagine this is what a hypothetical next generation civilian Space Shuttle might have looked like, too.
How big is the payload bay on this thing? The whole craft is only 29 feet long, so it's not carrying a Hubble in to orbit.