US Military Spaceplane To Perform Orbital Maneuvers (spacenews.com) 18
In a rare disclosure, the U.S. Space Force announced that its secretive X-37B spaceplane will execute a series of maneuvers before returning back to Earth. SpaceNews reports: The reusable spacecraft, which has been in orbit since December 28, 2023, will perform aerobraking maneuvers to alter its trajectory around Earth, the Space Force said Oct. 10. This technique involves making multiple passes through the planet's upper atmosphere, using atmospheric drag to modify the vehicle's orbit while conserving fuel. These maneuvers also are intended to showcase responsible space operations, the Space Force said. The aerobraking enables the spaceplane to change orbits and comply with space debris mitigation rules by safely discarding the service module.
The X-37B, manufactured by Boeing, is jointly operated by the U.S. Space Force and the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. Since its launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the spaceplane has been conducting radiation effect experiments and testing space domain awareness technologies in a highly elliptical orbit. [...] After completing its aerobraking maneuvers, the X-37B will resume its testing and experimentation objectives. Once these are accomplished, the vehicle will de-orbit and return to Earth, utilizing its autonomous landing system to touch down horizontally like a conventional aircraft. The Space Force has not disclosed the expected duration of the current mission.
The X-37B, manufactured by Boeing, is jointly operated by the U.S. Space Force and the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. Since its launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the spaceplane has been conducting radiation effect experiments and testing space domain awareness technologies in a highly elliptical orbit. [...] After completing its aerobraking maneuvers, the X-37B will resume its testing and experimentation objectives. Once these are accomplished, the vehicle will de-orbit and return to Earth, utilizing its autonomous landing system to touch down horizontally like a conventional aircraft. The Space Force has not disclosed the expected duration of the current mission.
Responsible space operations (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Responsible space operations (Score:5, Informative)
Also dropping the occasional fuel loaded booster on a city.
Re:Responsible space operations (Score:5, Interesting)
Re: (Score:1)
East of China is a country.
It is called: Japan.
Re:Responsible space operations (Score:5, Informative)
Re: (Score:1)
Florida is their own country. So obviously they miss it.
Japan is a target for N Korea.
What you think happens if there is an unannounced launch and the missile goes over Japan airspace?
Re: (Score:2)
Why is it still an X-plane if operational? (Score:2)
Something like the SR-81 would be cool
Re: (Score:2)
drag maneuvers (Score:3)
KSP (Score:2)
They trained the AI with Kerbal Space Program, nothing can go wrong.