News>X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle lands at Vandenberg AFB
Photos
The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle sits on the runway at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Dec. 3, 2010, during post-landing operations. Personnel in self-contained atmospheric protective ensemble suits are conducting initial checks on the vehicle and ensuring the area is safe. The X-37B launched April 22 from Cape Canaveral, Fla., allowing teams to conduct on-orbit experiments for more than 220 days during this first mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Stonecypher)
12/3/2010 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- The U.S. Air Force's first unmanned re-entry spacecraft landed here Dec. 3 at 1:16 a.m.
The X-37B, named Orbital Test Vehicle 1, which launched April 22 from Cape Canaveral, Fla., conducted on-orbit experiments for more than 220 days during its maiden voyage. It fired its orbital maneuver engine in low-earth orbit to perform an autonomous reentry before landing.
The X-37B is the newest and most advanced re-entry spacecraft. Managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, the X-37B program performs risk reduction, experimentation and concept of operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies.
"Today's landing culminates a successful mission based on close teamwork between the 30th Space Wing, Boeing and the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office," said Lt. Col. Troy Giese, the X-37B program manager from the AFRCO. "We are very pleased that the program completed all the on-orbit objectives for the first mission."
OTV-1's de-orbit and landing mark the transition from the on-orbit demonstration phase to a refurbishment phase for the program.
An Air Force launch team is preparing to launch the next X-37B, OTV-2, in Spring 2011 aboard an Atlas V booster.
Comments
12/6/2010 5:24:56 PM ET Some seem to see this robotic space plane as a harbinger of space weaponization. I see it as the F-150 of low earth orbit LEO. With the right payload of a sail or shield of kevlar mylar and aerogel this little space truck could intercept smaller debris that threaten our LEO assets. With an arm of its own, it could match orbits grapple and de-orbit larger pieces much faster than gravity and aero-drag alone. It could also become a space tug and fuel truck for future national assets. Restore several assets to higher orbits and refuel them extending their useful life all for the cost of one launch The possibilities are truly inspiring.
