U.S. Air Force X-37B spaceplane to launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket [vs a Falcon 9 🤔]

[Hamartia Antidote]

previous 2017 launch used just a Falcon 9

U.S. Air Force X-37B spaceplane to launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket

U.S. Air Force X-37B spaceplane to launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket

spacenews.com

WASHINGTON — The seventh mission of the reusable U.S. Air Force X-37B spaceplane is scheduled to launch Dec. 7 on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

The spaceplane is built by Boeing and operated by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office and the U.S. Space Force. The upcoming mission will be Orbital Test Vehicle 7.

The X-37B will launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket for the first time.

The mission, designated USSF-52, will conduct a wide range of tests, including operating the reusable spaceplane in new orbital regimes, experimenting with space domain awareness technologies, and investigating the radiation effects on materials provided by NASA, the Space Force said in a statement Nov. 8.

“We are excited to expand the envelope of the reusable X-37B’s capabilities,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Fritschen, the X-37B program director.

The NASA experiment onboard, known as Seeds-2, will expose plant seeds to the harsh radiation environment of long-duration spaceflight.

SpaceX was awarded a $130 million contract in June 2018 to launch USSF-52. The mission was originally scheduled to launch in 2021 and has been delayed by payload and range availability.

Most recent mission set endurance record

The most recent X-37B mission, OTV-6, launched in May 2020 on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5, and landed in November 2022 after setting a new endurance record, spending 908 days on orbit.

The X-37B spaceplane is a derivative of the X-37A designed by NASA in the late 1990s to deploy from the Space Shuttle. The program later was transferred to the Defense Department. There are two X-37B spacecraft, which were originally designed for missions of 270 days, but have greatly exceeded that goal since the spaceplane’s first mission in 2010.

The Air Force for a decade kept the X-37B in a cloak of secrecy, but the Space Force is now showcasing it.

 

[BHAN85]

When that thing circles the Earth, the danger of WWIII is higher.

It's a not a scientific toy, it's a war machine.

This time was the most long period of time without launch of a Boeing X-37B, since the program started.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

When that thing circles the Earth, the danger of WWIII is higher.

It's a not a scientific toy, it's a war machine.

This time was the most long period of time without launch of a Boeing X-37B, since the program started.

It must have gotten a serious upgrade if they now need to use a Falcon Heavy.

When it was launched by a Falcon 9 last time it was so light the Falcon 9 landed back at the pad instead of way out on the barge.

Hey wait the launch was so easy the rocket landed back at the launch site..why do they suddenly need a Falcon Heavy???

It must be carrying something crazy heavy in its bay or they are flying it up into a super high orbit.

 

[KAL-EL]

When that thing circles the Earth, the danger of WWIII is higher.

It's a not a scientific toy, it's a war machine.

This time was the most long period of time without launch of a Boeing X-37B, since the program started.

I'm glad it's up there doing whatever it's doing.

Just by chance that a nation's leader dares to consider launching a nuclear first strike, this will give them a moment of pause before the point of no return

 

[BHAN85]

I'm glad it's up there doing whatever it's doing.

Just by chance that a nation's leader dares to consider to launch a nuclear first strike, this will give them a moment of pause.

It's ok defend your country. But it's ugly launch a first strike.

We dont know Boeing X-37B intentions , we dont even what does or what just is, but definitely it's not a scientific toy likey some people say, it's a space weapon, unknown type.

 

[KAL-EL]

It's ok defend your country. But it's ugly launch a first strike.

We dont know Boeing X-37B intentions , we dont even what does or what just is, but definitely it's not a scientific toy likey some people say.

Well obviously I'm not privy to what it actually is but I'd say that it definitely is not a toy

There are however Rumblings that it is in the process of helping design a warp capability program

 

[BHAN85]

Well obviously I'm not privy to what it actually is but I'd say that it definitely is not a toy

There are however Rumblings that it is in the process of helping design a warp capability program

I think, if that thing is for military deterrence, then capabilities would be public, but it's not.

So likely it's a weapon to use in a offensive way.

My bet is: space railgun. In space there is no atmosphere, and a space railgun can be tinier than a terrestrial railgun, it was a idea in the Reagan star wars.

 

[BHAN85]

It's to note that there are 2 twin Boeing X-37B, and last mission was the longer, and the longer time elapsed without launch, so they must have done really new improvements in the Boeing X-37B that will be launched in December.