Re: To SDCers, :Re: The X-37B orbital mission in 2008


<behlingjo@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:354cf428-ee04-4ac7-98b0-be9a1540e6da@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1. It is on an Atlas 501
2. the 2008 manifest has issues
3. X-37B is not a precursor to an USAF RLV. The USAF doesn't need a
2nd generation shuttle for orbital supply, satellite rendezvous and
inspection, reconnaissance,
a. orbital supply can be done by expendable vehicles ala Orbital
Express
b,satellite rendezvous and inspection can be done by an unmanned
vehicle and expendable. RLV provides no benefits
c. reconnaissance is being done by better vehicles. RLV provides no
benefit

4. It will be enclosed in a fairing
5. There is no comparison between X-37 and Orion and even alt
space. X-37 is not applicable to VSE. The USAF is just exploring
options like CAV etc

X-37B does look like they're exploring reusable technologies, which is a
good thing. They appear to be focusing on reuse of what would traditionally
be the expendable payload on top of an ELV. I'm glad the United States Air
Force picked up the funding for this project.

Fact *** (very old NASA document)
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/pdf/100427main_x37-facts.pdf

News Article
http://www.technologynewsdaily.com/node/5267

From above:
The X-37 program, originally a NASA initiative, was transferred
to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in 2004. The Air
Force's X-37B program builds upon the early development and testing
conducted by NASA, DARPA and the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Jeff
--
A clever person solves a problem.
A wise person avoids it. -- Einstein


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