Could the X-37B be an attempt to bypass the FOBS Treaty?

On Apr 12, 6:05*am, "Jonathan" wrote:

1. The fact the X-37b is designed to stay aloft for 270 days, and

2. be able to
dramatically change orbits with it's large engine,

3. indicates it's more of
an orbital maneuvering vehicle than any kind of weapon delivery system.

4. The X-37b is probably meant to service various future military
satellites
and provide flexible surveillance and so on.

5. Response time and flexibility
are always crucial for military systems, so they can be deployed to
a region quickly. Having something already in orbit, which it can change
quickly, is the fastest way I would think.

6. And being in orbit so long
would indicate any payload is dedicated to the work being done
in orbit, not so much for orbital lift and recovery.
Since the X-37 can stay in orbit so long, we would only need to build
a small number of them, and launch costs wouldn't be such an issue.

7 For all we know, this might be a 1/3 scale model, and in the end
it ends up being an unmanned version of the shuttle, even launched
the same way as the shuttle.

1. Not a big deal , since it is a satellite and not a manned
spacecraft

2. Not so, it can not "dramatically" change orbits. It can adjust
its orbit, much like the shuttle. And it is not a big engine.

3. It indicates nothing.

4. There is nothing to indicate this. The X-37 does not have
rendezvous sensors.

5. It is not quick reaction. it is limit in its orbit path, just
like any other spacecraft. That is why quick response involves a
launch vehicle so it can go over the target in the first orbit.

6. 270 days is not a long time, it is short for a satellite. Most
satellites last 3-5 years in LEO and don't need wings. It has wings,
that means recovery and reuse. That is its primary feature and not
the "short" mission duration of 270 days.

7. It is not a 1/3 scale model. NASA started the program. It was
not designed to USAF requirements, the USAF is just continuing to use
a vehicle as a test platform