US military's top secret X-37B shuttle 'disappears' for two weeks, changes orbit, page 3

reply to post by RichardPrice

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With the advances in robotics, I don't see manned service missions being pursued much. Robots poses a higher degree of dexterity, superior stability, and the advantage of being networked to digital computer systems. In theory - you could service a satellite without the need of cameras - a CAD model could be uploaded and simple pressure sensors used to establish a few reference points and the entire operation guided from a virtual model. Adding a camera and human operators on the ground is certainly recommended - but not entirely necessary.

Until we can reduce space suits to the bulkiness of our casual work clothing - there's not much a human can do in space that robotic arms would not be far superior at. And even then - humans would only be cost-effective in applications that extend beyond practical limitations of the robot's design. At which point, one must seriously consider the cost-effectiveness of extending the operational life of that satellite versus building and launching a new one.

As for satellites - it really depends upon what satellite they are wanting to service. Geosynchronous orbits are considerably different from circular or parabolic orbits, and the type of satellite would determine the amount of fuel consumed. However - it would be far more practical to service satellites from a platform already in orbit than having to launch a new vehicle into orbit every time you need to service something.

Additionally, since it is unmanned, it is not confined to the same time restrictions - uses of lower-impulse but higher efficiency thrust methods would be far more practical when you are not having to feed and support human life that entire time.

That said - I'm not familiar with the practical application of all the physics involved. You may very well be correct in your assertion that it would require too much fuel.

reply to post by roguetechie

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VASMIR is one of the highest impulse and highest thrust designs available... it's not very useful within an atmosphere, and can't begin to touch the thrust that can be delivered by chemical propellants. Yet, at least.

Most of my designs rely on VASMIR-derived engines for Newtonian navigation (souped up with magical futuristic technology, naturally). The inherent thrust-vectoring capability is where this type of drive wins hands-down. It won't be very useful for docking or some such thing as that - but it would make general orbital and planetary intercept corrections much less of a chore.

reply to post by SLAYER69

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Slayer is correct. It is real.
However look at the control surfaces in this photo of The Real X-37.
To enlarge the photo, open up MS word. Then right click on the image and use the “copy image” option. Next, go to your word document and “paste” the image to the document. Now “drag” the corner of the photo diagonally to the outer margin. Next use the document enlarger command in the tool bar. You can now see the image with some small pixalation.
upload.wikimedia.org...
Now compare it with the model of the X-37 in the OP’s provided link.
spaceflightnow.com...
Next, look at the landing gear of the real x-37.
www.abovetopsecret.com...
Now compare the landing gear of the model at SpaceFlightnow.
spaceflightnow.com...
They are different. They are different because SpaceFlightNow is using photos of a model, and not the real bird. And I still question the authenticity of the first photo. The model has to rest on concrete blocks because it can’t support it’s own weight. And then it has to be carted around on it’s own Hollywood trailer and non-gobermnt pick-up truck.
For crying out loud! It’s not even a Pintle trailer hitch! Really! Towing a 100 million dollar bird around on this thing!
I’m not discrediting the OP, only stating that the SpaceFlightNow photos Are Not Real.
No way, not today, and not tomorrow.

Originally posted by TimBrummer
It didn't actually disappear for two weeks, it make a big orbital angle change that's why it took the sky watchers so long to find it again. And it makes these changes aerodynamically using it's wings instead of with rocket motors like every other satellite does. The X-37 wings allow it to make major orbit changes using much less fuel than a normal satellite, it does this with a small re-entry burn to get down into the upper atmosphere, makes a hypersonic aerodynamic turn of up to 90 degrees, then does another small burn to boost back into orbit. That capability would allow it to be over any spot on earth in a short amount of time. It probably could do a half dozen major orbit changes like this before running out of fuel. On another thread they said it might have a laser weapon, and that is entirely possible. Why else would you make an expensive craft that could be over any spot on earth in 30 to 60 minutes unless it's to attack a target? Now you guys just need to figure out what runs the laser, the solar panel looks too small. Remember you heard it here first!!

Wow Tim,
I absolutely agree with you.
No secret her, but you can see a warning sign on one of the photos of the craft and it states,"Ammonia Vent."
Guess what that is for.
laserstars.org...

reply to post by Violater1

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spaceflightnow.com...
Next, look at the landing gear of the real x-37.

That's not the "Real" one.
The photo was of a "Prototype" which was a test bed from a few years ago. The one you think is the "Real" one was a scaled down model which was testing it's glide ability once it was released from a plane.

reply to post by SLAYER69

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I agree.
I posted this in the wrong thread.
However, look at the landing gear. This little bird can land on it's own, and the gear won't collapse.

Originally posted by Violater1
No secret her, but you can see a warning sign on one of the photos of the craft and it states,"Ammonia Vent."
Guess what that is for.
laserstars.org...

Ammonia is used on the Space Shuttle and ISS as a coolant for getting rid of unwanted heat. I would imagine that the X-37 is no different.

reply to post by Violater1

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Some have even speculated that it does have a "crew member"
A military version of this guy.



The world’s first space robot plans to launch Nov. 1

Robonaut 2 robot is very close to humans from the structure, with a human torso, head and arms, is a joint NASA and General Motors design, planning to complete the International Space Station to help astronauts work and maintenance tasks sporadic.

Notice on the vehicle there is a "Hatch" on the back half of the craft? Who needs a giant robotic arm to deploy or retrieve items when we have one of these up there.

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