31–40 of 109 posts
How far from earth are they to took that picture?
https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/x-37.htm
This source indicates an 38,000 km apogee, which is is about 1/10 the distance to the moon, and just barely beyond geostationary.
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.
Burns at closest approach (perigee) have the largest influence on total orbital characteristics. Burns at furthest approach (apogee) can raise the entire orbit if desired.
(Or so I understand.)
Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
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.
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.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_X-20_Dyna-Soar>
When 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 project…
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.
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.
I 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"
Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
As well as change orbital characteristics (apogee, perigee, inclination) at reasonably low cost, enabling closer observation of specific portions of Earth, or of objects in space. Burns at closest approach (perigee) have the largest influence on total orbital characteristics. Burns at furthest approach (apogee) can raise the entire orbit if desired. (Or so I understand.)
Burns at apogee have best efficiency for out-of-plane maneuvers (change orbital inclination plane) due to lowest velocity of the spacecraft.
Highly elliptical orbits can do both at a few hours' notice.