it's a tiny little thing isn't it? I don't think it could carry much in terms or weapons or cargo. why use such a small ship. oh well. we won't be making any moon trips anytime soon anyway thanks to Obama.

It's probably being used to upgrade/repair damaged spy satellites and such.

I mean, it would makes sense....

Or, conversely, it could be used to preform "Maintenance" against enemy satellites?

I don't think it's big enough to carry any weapons large enough to justify the cost of putting it up there.

Originally posted by LonelyGuy
it's a tiny little thing isn't it? I don't think it could carry much in terms or weapons or cargo. why use such a small ship. oh well. we won't be making any moon trips anytime soon anyway thanks to Obama.

edit on 6-3-2012 by LonelyGuy because: (no reason given)

Electronics have shrunk in size since the shuttle was first conceived so chances are the on-board electronic equipment as well as satellites have gotten smaller as well. This probably saves a ton on fuel and cost, especially since there's no point in sending a huge satellite that would be obsolete in ten years by one that's a quarter of the size.

Just remember that 10 years ago, the only option to watch TV was on a fat tube TV, then the HDTVs made them flat and now you can watch TV in better resolution from a screen that fits in the pocket.

It is something of a prototype platform. Its purpose is to test the capabilities, limitations, etc of crew-less space craft with a mission similar to that of the now-retired Shuttle.

One of the major advantages is in the fact that it is still up there. The craft can continue its mission until it runs out of supplies to perform that mission without concerns for crew sustainability. No satellite to service? No problem. Just sit back and soak up the sun until one does need service.

Missions that would require several shuttle missions over the course of a few years can be performed in that same time frame with a single launch and recovery operation.

It's possible that it is up there doing absolutely nothing for the most part, but just the fact that we have a space drone is pretty cool.

The potential applications are pretty huge... and it keeps the other guys guessing.

It is large enough for a couple of small monkeys.

They probably work cheaper than humans.

I noticed the X-37B space plane has taken off again today for an unknown mission and length of time again.......