The plane spent nearly two years circling Earth on a classified mission. Known as the X-37B, it resembles a mini space shuttle.
It safely touched down at 9:24 a.m. Friday, officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base said.
Just what the plane was doing during its 674 days in orbit has been the subject of sometimes spectacular speculation." more here
"Several experts have theorized it carried a payload of spy gear in its cargo bay. Other theories sound straight out of a James Bond film, including that the spacecraft would be able to capture the satellites of other nations or shadow China’s space lab.
In a written release announcing the return of the craft, the air force only said it had been conducting “on-orbit experiments”."
The plane that landed Friday is one of two built by Boeing. This is the spacecraft’s third mission, and began in December 2012.
The plane stands 9.5ft tall and is just over 29ft long, with a wingspan under 15ft. It weighs 11,000lbs and has solar panels that unfurl to charge its batteries once in orbit.
The air force said it plans to launch the fourth X-37B mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, next year." more here
The X-37B was built by Boeing's Phantom Works based in St. Louis Missouri.
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| General Randal G. Walden |
The testing program for the X-37B is led by Randall G. Walden, a former flight testing engineer for the USAF and now heading the Department of the Air Force's Rapid Capabilities Office.
"The Air Force Rapid
Capabilities Office, located in Washington, D.C., reports directly to
a Board of Directors chaired by the undersecretary of defense for
acquisition, technology, and logistics. Board members also include
the secretary of the Air Force, the Air Force chief of staff, and the
assistant secretary of the Air Force (acquisition). The office
responds to Combat Air Force and combatant command requirements
MissionThe Air
Force Rapid Capabilities Office expedites development and fielding of
select Department of Defense combat support and weapon systems by
leveraging defense-wide technology development efforts and existing
operational capabilities. The Board of Directors tasks the office
directly to address needs that involve mission applications and
operational concepts requiring specialized expertise, and involve
sensitive activities managed by other government agencies. The office
also conducts projects on accelerated timelines."
Pay special attention to 'Key Operating
Principles” and “Background” on this web page.
Some of General Walden's career postings:2. 1984 - 1989, flight test engineer, F-16 Combined Test Force, Edwards AFB, Calif.
3. 1989 - 1992, lead avionics flight test engineer, V-22 Multi-Service Test Team, Patuxent River NAS, Md.
4. 1992 - 1997, operations officer and flight test program manager, Nellis AFB, Nev.
5. 1997 - 1998, classified flight test squadron commander, Nellis AFB, Nev.
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| X-37B on runway at Vandenburg AFB |
With the relatively possible roominess (could hold a squad of SOF operators) of the cargo bay the spacecraft could be remotely piloted by RPV pilots from the ground via satellite link for use in high-risk, need it now, 'black' insertions launched initially from B-52 H model aircraft and recovered after landing from any one of DOD landing strips (Diego Garcia, Vandenburg, and several others.
OR, could the X-37B simply be a testbed for a 'real' trans-atmospheric vehicle that is still being built in Boeing's Phantom Works outside of St. Louis? Either way the existence of the X-37B puts new emphasis of the United States government's attempt to hold on to its hegemony around the world, which is now being challenged by Russia and the PRC and others. But that's fodder for another series of posts.
Patriots; Organize, Prepare, Train!
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