An Air Force photographer snapped this profile view of the X-37B shortly after its landing on Dec. 3, 2010, which marked the end of the secret vehicle's maiden space mission. USAF/Vandenberg Air Force Base
Expert: Secret X-37B Plane Isn't Spying On China -- MSNBC
'No chance ... it's not practical,' says former Air Force analyst.
Contrary to rampant speculation, the United States military's secretive X-37B space plane is most likely not spying on a prototype Chinese space module, experts say.
According to a recent report by the BBC, a new article in Spaceflight Magazine suggests that the robotic X-37B space plane might be surveilling China's recently launched space laboratory Tiangong 1. As evidence, the article notes apparently striking similarities in the orbits of the two spacecraft. But in reality, these orbits are quite different, other analysts contend, making it extremely unlikely that the X-37B is keeping an eye on Tiangong 1.
Read more ....
Update #1: Expert Debunks The BBC Claim That America's Spaceplace Is Spying On China's Spacestation -- Business Insider
Update #2: Why The X-37B Is Not Spying On Tiangong -- Space Daily
Update #3: 'No Chance' Secret X-37B Space Plane Spying on China Module: Expert -- Space.com
Previous Post: Is America's Super Secret Shuttle Spying On China's Space Lab?
My Comment: Yup .... the orbits do not match. The question that then needs to be asked is .... what exactly is the X-37B doing up there?
No comments:
Post a Comment