AF wander comes back to ground orbit

Spaceflight Now advises:
"Air Force's mini space shuttle returns after 468-day flight"
BY JUSTIN RAY
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: June 16, 2012


"Capping a 15-month clandestine military mission circling the planet,
the Pentagon's miniature spaceplane, one quarter the size of NASA's
now-retired space shuttle, returned to Earth just after dawn Saturday
for a pinpoint touchdown at Vandenberg Air Force Base."

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av026/landing/

/dps

--
Who, me? And what lacuna?

On Jun 17, 12:13*am, Snidely wrote:
Spaceflight Now advises:
"Air Force's mini space shuttle returns after 468-day flight"
BY JUSTIN RAY
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: June 16, 2012

"Capping a 15-month clandestine military mission circling the planet,
the Pentagon's miniature spaceplane, one quarter the size of NASA's
now-retired space shuttle, returned to Earth just after dawn Saturday
for a pinpoint touchdown at Vandenberg Air Force Base."

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av026/landing/

/dps

--
Who, me? *And what lacuna?

could this high tech mini shuttle be scaled up t be as large as the
ones just retired?

On Sun, 17 Jun 2012 07:45:22 -0700, Fred J. McCall
wrote:

bob haller wrote:

On Jun 17, 12:13*am, Snidely wrote:
Spaceflight Now advises:
"Air Force's mini space shuttle returns after 468-day flight"
BY JUSTIN RAY
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: June 16, 2012

"Capping a 15-month clandestine military mission circling the planet,
the Pentagon's miniature spaceplane, one quarter the size of NASA's
now-retired space shuttle, returned to Earth just after dawn Saturday
for a pinpoint touchdown at Vandenberg Air Force Base."

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av026/landing/


could this high tech mini shuttle be scaled up t be as large as the
ones just retired?


Why would you want to?

Better yet, how would you launch it?

On Sat, 16 Jun 2012 21:13:30 -0700, Snidely
wrote:

Spaceflight Now advises:
"Air Force's mini space shuttle returns after 468-day flight"

I have to ask, how drunk were you when you wrote that subject header?
:-)

Brian

"me" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 17 Jun 2012 07:45:22 -0700, Fred J. McCall
wrote:

bob haller wrote:

On Jun 17, 12:13 am, Snidely wrote:
Spaceflight Now advises:
"Air Force's mini space shuttle returns after 468-day flight"
BY JUSTIN RAY
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: June 16, 2012

"Capping a 15-month clandestine military mission circling the planet,
the Pentagon's miniature spaceplane, one quarter the size of NASA's
now-retired space shuttle, returned to Earth just after dawn Saturday
for a pinpoint touchdown at Vandenberg Air Force Base."

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av026/landing/


could this high tech mini shuttle be scaled up t be as large as the
ones just retired?


Why would you want to?


The plan is to carry up to 6 crew in the full scale
version, the X-37C, in the payload bay.



Better yet, how would you launch it?


Atlas V, Delta Heavy, Falcon Heavy

Boeing has announced plans to build a full scale version.
The military appears to have taken the sensible approach that
reducing costs to orbit is through unmanned ships. Which should
also keep weight way down also.

The X-37B was always envisioned as the shuttle replacement.
And it's pretty doubtful it's secret missions are meant to look
for ET or research for the good of all mankind. It should be
obvious where the manned space program went, to all things
missile defense.

Firepower, not flowerpower!


X-37C

"In 2011, Boeing announced plans for a scaled-up variant
of the X-37B, referring to the spacecraft as the X-37C.
The size of the X-37C would be approximately 165 to 180%
of the X-37B, allowing it to transport up to six astronauts
inside a pressurized compartment housed in the cargo bay.
The X-37C's proposed launch vehicle is the Atlas V
Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-37B

X-37C Cutaway drawing showing crew
configuration
http://www.spacesafetymagazine.com/w...apas-x-37b.jpg

Boeing X-37C Crew Vehicle
http://www.spacesafetymagazine.com/2.../boeing-x-37c/


Pentagon's Secret Space Plane Could Be Astronauts' Next Ride

"At a conference in California last week, Boeing program
manager Art Grantz unveiled plans for an "X-37C" that
would be nearly twice as long as the current B-model, with
a commensurate boost in payload. A pressurized cabin
would have space for five seated astronauts plus one
on a stretcher."
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011...t-space-plane/


The shuttle was around 220 tons, the Falcon Heavy will
be able to lift 50 tons, twice the payload of the shuttle
or Delta Heavy, and for a third of the cost of the Delta.

Falcon Heavy
http://www.spacex.com/falcon_heavy.php


Boeing X-37B fact sheet
http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/...d_x37_0311.pdf


s

Brian Thorn scribbled something on Sunday the 6/17/2012:
On Sat, 16 Jun 2012 21:13:30 -0700, Snidely
wrote:

Spaceflight Now advises:
"Air Force's mini space shuttle returns after 468-day flight"

I have to ask, how drunk were you when you wrote that subject header?
:-)

No claim to that excuse at all. But it was late and I was trying to be
quick, leading the reader to question if I meant "wonder" or
"wanderer".

/dps

--
Who, me? And what lacuna?

On Sun, 17 Jun 2012 15:15:11 -0400, "jonathan"
wrote:


"me" wrote in message
.. .
On Sun, 17 Jun 2012 07:45:22 -0700, Fred J. McCall
wrote:

bob haller wrote:

On Jun 17, 12:13 am, Snidely wrote:
Spaceflight Now advises:
"Air Force's mini space shuttle returns after 468-day flight"
BY JUSTIN RAY
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: June 16, 2012

"Capping a 15-month clandestine military mission circling the planet,
the Pentagon's miniature spaceplane, one quarter the size of NASA's
now-retired space shuttle, returned to Earth just after dawn Saturday
for a pinpoint touchdown at Vandenberg Air Force Base."

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av026/landing/


could this high tech mini shuttle be scaled up t be as large as the
ones just retired?


Why would you want to?


The plan is to carry up to 6 crew in the full scale
version, the X-37C, in the payload bay.



Better yet, how would you launch it?


Atlas V, Delta Heavy, Falcon Heavy

Boeing has announced plans to build a full scale version.
The military appears to have taken the sensible approach that
reducing costs to orbit is through unmanned ships. Which should
also keep weight way down also.

Why use a high-end Atlas 5, a hugely expensive Delta IV Heavy or
Falcon Heavy to launch six crew to the Space Station when Dragon,
Dream Chaser, New Shepard, or CST-100 can do the same with a low-end
Atlas 5 or an even-cheaper Falcon 9?

And how much weight will have to go in to beefing up the rocket to
handle the aero loads from a 25-ft wingspan on top?

Brian

"Brian Thorn" wrote in message
...


Why use a high-end Atlas 5, a hugely expensive Delta IV Heavy or
Falcon Heavy to launch six crew to the Space Station when Dragon,
Dream Chaser, New Shepard, or CST-100 can do the same with a low-end
Atlas 5 or an even-cheaper Falcon 9?



I doubt if it would be a secret program if all it was meant
to do was shuttle crew to the ISS. And the customer
for the X-37B is the Rapid Capabilities Office, which has
as it's only purpose to expedite crucial national security
projects.

I can think of only one issue that is so crucial
to national security and involves long term low orbit
capabilities. Missile Defense! It could be used for
surveillance, a weapons platform or an anti-satellite
weapon. High energy solid state lasers are just
around the corner, and are almost certain to be
the future of missile defense and precision strike.

RAPID CAPABILITIES OFFICE

Key Operating Principles

"Operating principles for the Rapid Capabilities Office are
based upon expedited and operationally focused concept-
through-fielding activities to support immediate and near-term
needs as directed by the Board of Directors. Any enduring
activities resulting from these efforts will be transitioned over
to a program office for long-term development/production
or to an operational unit"
http://www.af.mil/information/factsh...et.asp?id=3466


In one of Boeing's press statements they mentioned
space tourism also as a possible use for the X-37C
which is rather ridiculous.


And how much weight will have to go in to beefing up the rocket to
handle the aero loads from a 25-ft wingspan on top?

It would probably be inside a shell, like the X-37B.




Brian

"Fred J. McCall" wrote in message
...
"jonathan" wrote:


"me" wrote in message
. ..
On Sun, 17 Jun 2012 07:45:22 -0700, Fred J. McCall
wrote:

bob haller wrote:

On Jun 17, 12:13 am, Snidely wrote:
Spaceflight Now advises:
"Air Force's mini space shuttle returns after 468-day flight"
BY JUSTIN RAY
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: June 16, 2012

"Capping a 15-month clandestine military mission circling the planet,
the Pentagon's miniature spaceplane, one quarter the size of NASA's
now-retired space shuttle, returned to Earth just after dawn Saturday
for a pinpoint touchdown at Vandenberg Air Force Base."

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av026/landing/


could this high tech mini shuttle be scaled up t be as large as the
ones just retired?


Why would you want to?



The plan is to carry up to 6 crew in the full scale
version, the X-37C, in the payload bay.


Let's examine that just a bit, shall we? I'll assume the X-37C is
actually more than twice as large as the X-37B and will compare it to
the Space Shuttle.

X-37C Shuttle
Length 60 ft 122 ft
Wingspan 30 ft 78 ft
Height 20 ft 57 ft
Cargo Bay 14x8 ft 59x15 ft

In other words, the X-37C is less than half the size of the ones just
retired, which means you have been unresponsive to the question.



Better yet, how would you launch it?


Atlas V, Delta Heavy, Falcon Heavy


No, that's how you launch something half the size of the Space
Shuttle. Again, not responsive to the question.


"In 2011, Boeing announced plans for a scaled-up variant
of the X-37B, referring to the spacecraft as the X-37C.
The size of the X-37C would be approximately 165 to 180%
of the X-37B, allowing it to transport up to six astronauts
inside a pressurized compartment housed in the cargo bay.
The X-37C's proposed launch vehicle is the Atlas V
Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-37B








--
"Some people get lost in thought because it's such unfamiliar
territory."
--G. Behn

On Jun 17, 7:19*pm, "jonathan" wrote:
"Fred J. McCall" wrote in messagenews:0elst798cfbskvog2mcm9vbs03mut8hgtp@4ax .com...





"jonathan" wrote:

"me" wrote in message
. ..
On Sun, 17 Jun 2012 07:45:22 -0700, Fred J. McCall
wrote:

bob haller wrote:

On Jun 17, 12:13 am, Snidely wrote:
Spaceflight Now advises:
"Air Force's mini space shuttle returns after 468-day flight"
BY JUSTIN RAY
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: June 16, 2012

"Capping a 15-month clandestine military mission circling the planet,
the Pentagon's miniature spaceplane, one quarter the size of NASA's
now-retired space shuttle, returned to Earth just after dawn Saturday
for a pinpoint touchdown at Vandenberg Air Force Base."

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av026/landing/

could this high tech mini shuttle be scaled up t be as large as the
ones just retired?

Why would you want to?

The plan is to carry up to 6 crew in the full scale
version, the X-37C, in the payload bay.

Let's examine that just a bit, shall we? *I'll assume the X-37C is
actually more than twice as large as the X-37B and will compare it to
the Space Shuttle.

X-37C Shuttle
Length 60 ft 122 ft
Wingspan 30 ft 78 ft
Height 20 ft 57 ft
Cargo Bay 14x8 ft 59x15 ft

In other words, the X-37C is less than half the size of the ones just
retired, which means you have been unresponsive to the question.

Better yet, how would you launch it?

Atlas V, Delta Heavy, Falcon Heavy

No, that's how you launch something half the size of the Space
Shuttle. *Again, not responsive to the question.

"In 2011, Boeing announced plans for a scaled-up variant
of the X-37B, referring to the spacecraft as the X-37C.
The size of the X-37C would be approximately 165 to 180%
of the X-37B, allowing it to transport up to six astronauts
inside a pressurized compartment housed in the cargo bay.
The X-37C's proposed launch vehicle is the Atlas V
Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-37B





--
"Some people get lost in thought because it's such unfamiliar
territory."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *--G. Behn

might be possible to quickly loft such a vehicle as a offense weapon,
like a laser beam to burn up the targets