Robotic spacecrasft x-37 returnedto vandenburg by itself agfter 7months "in orbit"

Robotic spacecraft x-37 returns on its own after7months "in orbit"



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X-37B space plane returns to earth after seven months in orbit
December 3, 2010 | 11:21 am

X37

The X-37B robotic spacecraft, which resembles a miniature version of the space shuttle, touched down at Vandenberg Air Force Base early Friday morning, marking the first time an American unmanned vehicle returned from orbit to land on its own.

Until now, the space shuttle was the only reusable space plane capable of returning to earth.

"This marks a new era in space exploration," Paul Rusnock, the X-37’s program director for Boeing Co., which made the spacecraft, said in a statement.

The mysterious X-37B was launched April 22 from Cape Canaveral, Fla. That means it spent more than seven months orbiting the Earth.

Doing what? The government won’t exactly say.

The Air Force, which has been developing the pilotless space plane, has deflected questions about using the X-37B for military missions, saying that it is simply a way to test new technologies, such as satellite sensors and components.

Experts have questioned whether the Pentagon would be willing to spend possibly hundreds of millions of dollars for an orbiting laboratory at a time when the government is tightening its budget belt. They have speculated that the military might one day want to use it as a orbiting spycraft, cargo plane or bomber.

What we do know is that the X-37B was built by Boeing's advanced research lab, Phantom Works, in Huntington Beach.

latimesblogs.latimes.com...

"classified mission". The mind fairly reels:"Where did it go?what did it see? Is it happy to be home?
cool stuff: I am pro "space".
" hello ...... Dave....."

Wow.

Please correct the typos in your title.

Thanks.