Mysterious space plane spent a year orbiting Earth on secret mission

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Los Angeles Times

Mysterious space plane spent a year orbiting Earth on secret mission
By W.J. HENNIGAN
Los Angeles Times December 11, 2013

A year after the Air Force blasted it into orbit, an experimental space drone continues to circle the Earth.

Its mission and hush-hush payload, however, remain a mystery.

The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, which looks like a miniature unmanned version of the space shuttle, was launched from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Dec. 11, 2012.

At the time of launch, Air Force officials offered few details about the mission, saying that the space plane simply provided a way to test new technologies in space, such as satellite sensors and other components.

It was set to land on a 15,000-foot airstrip at Vandenberg Air Force Base, northwest of Santa Barbara, Calif. But the Air Force has never announced an exact landing date.

Although the X-37B program is classified, some of the particulars are known.



Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/12/11/211357/mysterious-space-plane-spent-a.html#storylink=cpy

[lostincalifornia]

1. I suspect Snowden will tell us what it was all about

[sakabatou]

2. If it ever became a weapons platform

It would only be able to have a laser and possible bombs. Otherwise the orbital mechanics would be ruined.

[DJ13]

3. I know it was small, but how do they know it wasnt manned by little astronauts?

[Jesus Malverde]

11. Just like they don't need pilots in the drone era, they don't need astronauts..nt

[tanyev]

4. The truth is out there.

[catchnrelease]

13. Trust no one.

[MisterP]

14. fight the future

[underpants]

5. Okay, where has Geraldo been for the last year?

[Major Nikon]

6. The only thing "mysterious" about it is the USAF refuses to officially release details about it

X designations have been used for military test aircraft since WWII at least. A quick google search reveals all sorts of pictures. The wiki entry lists specifications, launch dates, and amateur tracks of the aircraft.

[FogerRox]

15. Like any other DOD Shuttle mission

Amateur hobbyists with telescopes have tracked every so called secret launch for about 15 years, post the orbital data online so others can take pictures. Modern computerized Go-To telescopes are very capable.

[FogerRox]

16. Amatuer photos & video

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3856673/Main/3827138

http://www.universetoday.com/65338/amateur-astronomer-images-x37-b-space-plane-in-orbit/

https://www.google.com/search?q=telescope+X-37B&client=firefox-a&hs=8bC&rls=org.mozilla:en-US fficial&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=bQCqUrDpFcSzyAHxuICoAw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1120&bih=535

[warrprayer]

7. If they told you...

[seveneyes]

8. What we know, and know we not

On one hand it's good to know we are still investing in space travel, and it provides some jobs.
On the other, we may still be a few generations from complete government transparency.

[hunter]

9. If you want to see if it's looking at you, try this...

http://www.satview.org/?sat_id=39025U

Maybe you can moon it as it passes by.

[blkmusclmachine]

10. Transparen........

Ah, f*ck it!

[Jesus Malverde]

12. Remember NASA does not have launch capabilities and our civilian space program is being

turned over to private corporations. That the military has the capabilities and they are not being used for the good of mankind is very sad.

[jakeXT]

17. The military was always a big driver of space exploration

Under the MOL program, two astronauts would launch atop a Titan 3 rocket in a spacecraft similar to NASA's Gemini capsules, then conduct reconnaissance missions from orbit using ultra high-resolution telescopes. The USAF scrapped the top secret program in 1969, but not before the then-Soviet Union devised its own space-based spy platform: Almaz.

Tucked within the Soviet's multiple Salyut space station program, Almaz arose in the 1970s and was reported to include a cannon weapons system for use in space.

http://www.space.com/4961-space-spies-revealed-documentary.html