Friday, March 11, 2011

More Secret X-37B Planned


More Secret X-37B Space Plane Missions Expected, U.S. Military Says -- Space.com

The U.S. Air Force and Boeing anticipate more missions of the X-37B space plane to finish testing the craft's flight characteristics and carry top secret experiments into orbit, but there is no firm timetable for additional launches of the robotic mini-space shuttle, according to military officials.

Boeing's Phantom Works division built two X-37 vehicles for the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, a unit managed from the Pentagon that develops shadowy and fast-track programs for the military. [Photos: Air Force Launches 2nd Secret X-37B Mission]

The second X-37B, also called the Orbital Test Vehicle, launched several hundred miles above Earth Saturday (March 5) on an Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla. It will stay into orbit for up to 270 days, according to Air Force officials.

Read more ....

Update: Don't Look Up: The Secret Space Plane Is Flying Again -- Time Magazine

My Comment: They must like the results .... hence they are now laying the groundwork for future missions.

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