The Air Force hopes its unmanned X-37 (in taxi tests in 2007)will take on some of the functions of the shuttle. (USAF)
Space Shuttle Jr. -- The Air & Space Smithsonian
After 2010, the only spaceplane in the U.S. inventory will be the Air Force's mysterious X-37.
It's been a long wait—in some ways, more than 50 years—but in April 2010, the U.S. Air Force is scheduled to launch an Atlas V booster from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying the newest U.S. spacecraft, the unmanned X-37, to orbit. The X-37 embodies the Air Force's desire for an operational spaceplane, a wish that dates to the 1950s, the era of the rocket-powered X-15 and X-20. In other ways, though, the X-37 will be picking up where another U.S. spaceplane, NASA's space shuttle, leaves off.
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My Comment: This is the first time that I am seeing a picture of the X-37. It does not look impressive, but I guess it is it's functionality and cargo that makes it important. There is no mention of who will be the pilots for this shuttle, but my guess is that it will be U.S. Air Force personnel .... names probably kept on a need to know basis.
No pilots, its unmanned. More like flight programmers before every flight, placing inputs in the GPS. Doesn't look like there are cameras or radar, so no ground control-o contact with ground during reentry anyway.
ReplyDeleteOrbital spaceflight doesn't need constant input anyway.