X-37B Boeing - Space Shuttle
X-37B Boeing - Space Shuttle
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The X-37B is a prototype of a reusable unmanned satellite. The first prototype is for atmospheric testing, while the second has a strengthened structure to support an enshrouded launch, which was originally planned to be launched in the Shuttle payload bay, the transferred after the Columbia accident to a Delta-7920 launch vehicle. Due to problems with the aerodynamics of an enshrouded launch, the first space test was be launched shrouded on a Atlas-5(501) or on a Delta-4M in 2006. Multiple flights with mission durations up to 21 days are planned. NASA asked Boeing to design the X-37 orbital vehicle for a 270-day stay on orbit.
The original X-37 was to feature an AR-2/3 engine for maneuvering and deorbiting, which uses Hydrogen Peroxide and JP-8 as oxidizer and fuel. Later the propulsion system has been changed to a hypergolic nitrogen tetroxide / hydrazine version with a robust propellant load for maneuvering in space and for the deorbit burn.
The X-37’s shape is a 120 percent scale derivative of the Air Force’s X-40A, also designed and built by Boeing, which was released from a helicopter and glide-tested in 1998. The X-40A, which lacks the X-37’s advanced thermal protection materials, rocket engine, experiment bay and other spacecraft systems, iwas released from a U.S. Army Chinook helicopter in a series of free flight tests in 2001 to reduce technical risk before flight testing the X-37.
NASA has directed Boeing to throttle back on development of the orbital variant of the X-37 prototype space plane until more money is found for the program, an action likely to delay a re-entry and landing demonstration that was planned for 2006.
Following transfer from NASA to DARPA in October 2004, the X-37 technology demonstrator, the Approach and Landing Test Vehicle, recently completed a series of captive carry and free flight tests from the White Knight aircraft, which was also used to launch the SpaceShipOne. The ALTV validated the X-37 program flight dynamics and extended the flight envelope beyond the earlier low speed/low altitude tests conducted by NASA. The ALTV, in its current configuration, is not capable of space flight.
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The OTV program will focus on risk reduction, experimentation, and operational concept development for reusable space vehicle technologies, in support of long term developmental space objectives. The first orbital test flight of the OTV is planned for FY08, with a launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on an Atlas-5(501) launch vehicle. Key objectives of the first flight include demonstration and validation of guidance, navigation and control systems to include fault tolerant, autonomous reentry and landing as well as lightweight high temperature structures and landing gear. Vandenberg Air Force Base or will conduct reentry and recovery activities.
 A statement from the Secretary of the Air Force, states the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) program will focus on "risk reduction, experimentation, and operational concept development for reusable space vehicle technologies, in support of long term developmental space objectives." |
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X-37B reentry |
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 White Knight and X-37B |
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X-37B |
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Internals |
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X-37B in space/orbit |
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Specifications
Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!
Data for X-37A, X-40A:
| X-37A | X-40A | |
| Length | 8.38 m (27 ft 6 in) | w/o pitot: 6.70 m (22 ft 0 in) (pitot: 1.5 m (5 ft)) |
| Wingspan | 4.57 m (15 ft 0 in) | 3.51 m (11 ft 6 in) |
| Height | 2.76 m (9 ft 0.5 in) | 2.20 m (7 ft 2.5 in) |
| Weight | 5400 kg (12000 lb) | 1200 kg (2650 lb) |
| Speed | Mach 25 (on reentry) | subsonic |
| Propulsion | Rocketdyne AR2-3 liquid-fueled rocket; 31 kN (7000 lb) | none |
Comments
“For the first flight, we’re extremely pleased with the outcome of the entire mission of the X-37B,” said Richard McKinney, the deputy under secretary of the Air Force for space programs.
The only physical damage seen so far has been seven areas where space debris collided with the aircraft. It also blew out a tire upon landing.
We’ve been warned for a long time that space debris is becoming a huge, potentially deadly problem. I’ve heard Air Force leaders repeatedly say that a collision with even a tiny object in space can have disastrous consequences.
So seven hits over the course of the nearly eight months that the X-37B was in space. Are collisions in space that common? If so, has the X-37B already taken a serious step toward mitigating that problem by using extra tough coatings? Or is this just an indicator of how bad things are up there?
1 Dec 2010
Irene Klotz reports that the X-37B will land soon: Secret military mini-shuttle returning to Earth: Air Force says robotic craft completed 9-month mission - Reuters.A miniature robotic space shuttle launched from Cape Canaveral in April has completed a nine-month classified mission for the military and will be headed for a landing as early as Friday, Air Force officials said on Tuesday.
The vehicle, known as the Orbital Test Vehicle or X-37B, is expected to land at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California between Friday and Monday, depending on weather and technical considerations, the Air Force said in a statement.Updat e: See also
/-- Preparations underway for first landing of X-37B - Vandenberg AFB (via Robert Pearlman).
/-- Secret mini-shuttle due for landing as soon as Friday - Spaceflight Now
The X-37B was a military project created by the Air Force in conjunction with Boeing. It's hard to believe that so much mystery was wrapped up in a small 29 foot box. As it nestled in the nose cone of an Atlas rocket on the landing pad, many news agencies speculated on what it could possibly be. And now, thanks to the efforts of astronomers worldwide, we can finally know what the object's purpose is.
It looks sort of like a futuristic space shuttle, but actually is only about one fourth the size of one. It's equipped with an array of mysterious machinery, and enough of a power system to leave it in orbit for at least nine months. Originally thought to be a possible secret space weapons platform, the device raised several questions from reporters. What they met was a brick wall. And yet now that mystery has been solved by Ted Molczan. The astronomer from Toronto held an interview with the New York Times stating that the X-37B was going to be passing through very specific regions around Earth once every four days. This behavior has been seen before – in spy satellites.
The orbital ring it will be taking means it will be hovering about Afghanistan, Ian, Iraq, Pakistan, and North Korea. If the device were a spy satellite, these would be ideal locations for it to visit in order to record information about these regions. The craft will be passing over various parts of the Earth recording information from space worldwide and making a full orbit around the planet every 90 minutes. Of course most of this time will be spent recording the Ocean, but the X-37B, if it were a spy satellite, would be recording useful information about some very key points of interest to the US military and its allies.
And the object is said to be visible with the naked eye from Earth on cloudless nights. This explanation is in keeping with the official story, which suggests that the system is not a new weapon of any kind but rather will be attempting to assist operations on the ground. Though they do not explicitly state that the system will be used for gathering intelligence, it isn't a giant leap from “help” to “gather information” in military lingo.
The project came to fruition one year ago, as the module was rocketed into space, but it began in 1999 under the guidance of NASA. Eventually its funding was cut and in 2006 the project was moved over to the Air Force where it found military applications. Of course this is a sigh of relief for many, but there are still some rumors that this explanation is merely a cover for another purpose that the project will be covering.
1:50pm UK, Friday April 23, 2010
Jonathan Robins, Sky News Online
A top-secret rocket has been launched by the US military amid rumors its purpose is to perform experiments for a space weapons programme.
Launch X-37B on Atlas V 501
Officially the project will test a new space shuttle, the X-37B, that will look at safer and cheaper ways to return spacecraft to earth.
But the details of its payload, experiments and orbital operations have all been classified.
The real purpose of the mission could be to position satellites and other types of surveillance, according to military and security sources.
The launch is a military project being controlled by the US Air Force Space Command - not NASA.
A military use would explain why the Pentagon has invested up to hundreds of millions of dollars in the craft.
The vehicle should "provide an 'on-orbit laboratory' test environment to prove new technology and components before those technologies are committed to operational satellite programmes", according to the US Air Force.
Unlike current shuttles, it can remain in orbit for up to nine months, but cannot carry people.
The X-37B will eventually land in California, but no-one knows how long its first mission will take.
"In all honesty, we don't know when it's coming back," said Gary Payton of the US Air Force.
The spacecraft would aid "development programs that will provide capabilities for our warfighters in the future", he added.
Once in orbit the shuttle will be powered by solar panels and lithium-ion batteries.
If its flight is successful a second vehicle will be launched next year.
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