Tag Archives: x-37b

X-37B Passes One Year in Orbit

The US Air Force’s secretive X-37B reusable unmanned space vehicle has surpassed a year in orbit.

The unmanned X-37B spacecraft — flying a mission known as Orbital Test Vehicle 3 (OTV-3) — launched into space atop an Atlas 5 rocket from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Dec. 11, 2012. What payloads the space plane is toting and the overall mission goals on its confidential cruise are classified.

The Space.com article notes that “skywatchers” have been constantly monitoring the X-37’s orbit and altitude changes. What it is actually doing remains a mystery.

ADVERTISEMENT

X-37B Still in Space

The Associated Press did a check-up on the experimental X-37B and decided it was still in space, nine months after it launched on its vaguely described (nine-month planned) sortie.

The X-37B orbital test vehicle was due to land in California this week, but the Air Force said Tuesday that the mission will be extended. A landing date has not been set.

The current flight (orbit?) is the second public mission of the vehicle system.  While some sites have noted the “experimental” mission may be in preparation for future missions, there’s nothing to say it isn’t doing now precisely what they want it to…

X-37B Returns to Vandenberg

The unmanned X-37B space vehicle (or “Orbital Test Vehicle 1”), originally launched in April, returned to Vandenberg AFB after a seven-month mission described in only the vaguest terms by the Air Force:

The X-37B is the newest and most advanced re-entry spacecraft. Managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, the X-37B program performs risk reduction, experimentation and concept of operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies.

The vehicle and its mission remain a high point of speculation, particularly since its orbit — and its orbital changes — were widely visible.

The craft was reportedly “successful” in its test mission, and suffered only a few dents from space debris and a blown tire on its autonomous landing.

Sky Searchers Seek Secret Space Plane

FoxNews notes that star gazers have been tracking the orbit of the US Air Force’s X-37B (previously noted), and, for the second time, have lost track of it.  Apparently the first disappearance was caused by a change in orbital inclination, which may reveal some of the vehicle’s capabilities.

The most recent disappearance is fueling hypotheses the spacecraft has returned to earth.  If so, it would be inside the 9 months originally speculated for its duration.

Air Force to Launch X-37B

The US military hasn’t completely abandoned experimental (and classified) missions, as evidenced by the announced April 19 launch of the X-37B, an orbital test vehicle.  The vehicle appears to be a winged reusable vehicle with traditional landing gear.  Commentators are somewhat confused as to its ultimate purpose, lending support to the theories it will support classified missions, as well as a variety of Air Force experimental operations.

The X-37B has been in development for years (and was even originally scheduled for a 2008 launch).  Various reports indicated that the unmanned vehicle might be intended to stay in orbit for up to 9 months before conducting its own re-entry and landing.