What can be learned from the X-37B flight?

On 4/8/2010 3:31 AM, Pat Flannery wrote:

AW&ST's Ares blog has a article about it, this time showing artwork of
it dropping off a three-warhead MIRV bus in orbit:
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs...tId=b logDest

And here's what may carry an operational version up instead of a Atlas V:
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs...tId=b logDest
One question here; since this is supposed to replace Delta IV and Atlas
V at some point _after 2035_, isn't this a bit soon to be starting on
the program? In the 25 years between now and then, there could be
technological advances made that would make any work done now obsolete.

Pat

"Pat Flannery" wrote in message
dakotatelephone...
On 4/8/2010 3:31 AM, Pat Flannery wrote:

AW&ST's Ares blog has a article about it, this time showing artwork of
it dropping off a three-warhead MIRV bus in orbit:
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs...tId=b logDest

And here's what may carry an operational version up instead of a Atlas V:
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs...tId=b logDest
One question here; since this is supposed to replace Delta IV and Atlas V
at some point _after 2035_, isn't this a bit soon to be starting on the
program? In the 25 years between now and then, there could be
technological advances made that would make any work done now obsolete.



If the X-37b is a 1/3 scale version, as the X-33 was, maybe they'll be
strapping on a couple of solid boosters and an expendable fuel tank
for a first stage holding some SSMEs.







Pat