Air Force's mystery space plane again heading into space

The first X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle taxis on the flightline March 30, 2010, at the Astrotech facility in Titusville, Fla

/ U.S. Air Force

Intrigue continues to shroud a small prototype unmanned space plane that the U.S. Air Force hopes to launch on Friday from Cape Canaveral in Florida.

The first X-37B returned to Earth in December after finishing its 225-day journey. That mission, too, was classified and the military said little other than that it was pleased as punch with the results.

So what's the project all about? The sometimes fevered speculation that's accompanied the project from the start has been annotated by the usual questions: Will the X-37 serve as the prototype for a new kind of James Bond-like spy ship? Could it sneak up on rival countries' satellites and zap them with a laser?

On Wednesday, the Union of Concerned Scientists, which has been critical of the program, added its voice to the debate, registering a public complaint about the vehicle's practical use. "Because of its weight and relative lack of maneuverability, the space plane is not well-suited for a number of missions," wrote Laura Grego, a scientist with the group's Global Security Program "For example, it would have a harder time carrying payloads into orbit, maneuvering in space, rendezvousing with satellites, and releasing multiple payloads. Yes, the space plane may offer more flexibility and is potentially reusable, but that comes at a very high price compared with the alternatives. We have not seen an analysis that shows why it is worth that high price."

In the past, Air Force officials have rejected suggestions that the X-37 project was designed with the intention of "weaponizing" space. And they're still on message. In its most recent statement, the Air Force said that the program was designed to test reusable technologies for future American space exploration as well as for "operating experiments" which researchers can later examine back on Earth.

That and 25 cents won't be enough to get you on the subway. So it's still watch and wait.

[cyberus-2009]

Gawds, which part of "small prototype" and "test reusable technologies" do these "scientists" fail to grasp?
Plus, the statement ""For example, it would have a harder time carrying payloads into orbit, maneuvering in space, rendezvousing with satellites, and releasing multiple payloads." begs the question, should it be designed to do *all* this? Maybe whats wrong with the shuttle program is the "swiss army knife" approach isn't right for space vehicles, maybe we need a heavy lifter to shove massive payloads into space then have a spaceplane snag it and deliver it to its destination rather than trying to lift a spaceplane loaded with a heavy payload ... you get the point.
The shuttle ended up costing way more to build and use than ever planned, maybe its time to look at a different approach.

[keenefx]

Go US Space Force!

[karek40]

I for one would like our military to be able to shoot down any satellite or missile deemed a threat to this nation. Go Air Force

[Noval53]

Since NASA is going no where fast, perhaps the Air Force can get something going for America again. NASA's shuttle bus program has finally worn itself out and China's space program will probably get men back on the moon long before NASA can get their act together.

[whiteguysrule]

I am absolutley sure I am not from this planet.

[rwsmith29456]

"On Wednesday, the Union of Concerned Scientists, which has been critical of the program, added its voice to the debate, registering a public complaint about the vehicle's practical use. "Because of its weight and relative lack of maneuverability, the space plane is not well-suited for a number of missions," wrote Laura Grego..." The Union has no idea what it is planned to be used for. It's a 'small prototype'. How can they make these statements?

[rf35]

The Union of Concerned Scientists is critical about everything. I wonder what type of scientists make up the Union. The same type as the Japanese scientists who need hundreds of dead whales a year to do research on, perhaps?

[ludvig1-2009]

It looks like it could deliver Navy Seals into space to defend earth from Invaders from Mars.

[jscott418-21618367473133020464]

Who says the Military ever spends money correctly. Or our Government in general. Waste is our Governments middle name. But hey, as long as I have a job I will pay taxes to fund these stupid projects.