Casino67 Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 Newscom.au:AMATEUR astronomers are enjoying a cat-and-mouse game with the US military in keeping track of its secret space plane, the X-37B.The X-37B was launched in April amid much publicity, but scant detail about its true use.Built by Boeing's Phantom Works division, the X-37B program was originally headed by NASA.It was later turned over to the Pentagon's research and development arm and then to a secretive Air Force unit.Only a very select few in the US military know what it's for, but observers on Earth believe they're putting together the puzzle piece by piece.Several sources claim quote arms control advocates who say it's clearly the beginning of the "weaponisation of space".Read more: http://www.news.com.au/technology/us-militarys-top-secret-x-37b-shuttle-disappears-for-two-weeks-changes-orbit/story-e6frfro0-1225909738276#ixzz0xfPF44zvIMO it is for delivery and retrieval of satellites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clearvision Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 WikiLeaks will have the details for us shortly.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceRimmer Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 I never heard of it before today, but Clearvision! is right, we'll know the details from Wikileaks in a few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErnstBlofeld Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 I never heard of it before today, but Clearvision! is right, we'll know the details from Wikileaks in a few days. It must be on a super classified mission. Wikileaks will not get any information it because the mission and the entire program has a high classification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceRimmer Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 The only thing I can figure from this limited amount of info is that this is the replacement for the space shuttle, and if NASA turned it over to the Air Force, it means they're going to be deploying military assets in orbit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErnstBlofeld Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 The only thing I can figure from this limited amount of info is that this is the replacement for the space shuttle, and if NASA turned it over to the Air Force, it means they're going to be deploying military assets in orbit. It is a fantastic piece of military hardware. It has a unlimitied military applications.I like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceRimmer Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 The only thing I can figure from this limited amount of info is that this is the replacement for the space shuttle, and if NASA turned it over to the Air Force, it means they're going to be deploying military assets in orbit. It is a fantastic piece of military hardware. It has a unlimitied military applications.I like it. Oh, I agree, but this must have been on the drawing board for years before our current T-in-C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SrWoodchuck Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 WikiLeaks will have the details for us shortly.... It was given to the Air Force Super Secret "Blue Man Group".........and the Blue Man Group gives no clues. NOT THESE GUYS------------> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErnstBlofeld Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 The only thing I can figure from this limited amount of info is that this is the replacement for the space shuttle, and if NASA turned it over to the Air Force, it means they're going to be deploying military assets in orbit. It is a fantastic piece of military hardware. It has a unlimitied military applications.I like it. Oh, I agree, but this must have been on the drawing board for years before our current T-in-C. My favorite use of the marvelous piece of hardware is to arm it with a targeting mirror and a laser and hit targets on the ground or in space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clearvision Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 So no need to put that big ole laser up on a 747... Hook it up to a nuke plant on the ground, beam it up into the sky (gently at first) make sure it is on the mirror, then blamo a target say over in Iran disappears.... Where is the Facebook "Like" when you need it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceRimmer Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 The only thing I can figure from this limited amount of info is that this is the replacement for the space shuttle, and if NASA turned it over to the Air Force, it means they're going to be deploying military assets in orbit. It is a fantastic piece of military hardware. It has a unlimitied military applications.I like it. Oh, I agree, but this must have been on the drawing board for years before our current T-in-C. My favorite use of the marvelous piece of hardware is to arm it with a targeting mirror and a laser and hit targets on the ground or in space. How Dr. Evil. Can we expect sharks with lasers next? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErnstBlofeld Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 The only thing I can figure from this limited amount of info is that this is the replacement for the space shuttle, and if NASA turned it over to the Air Force, it means they're going to be deploying military assets in orbit. It is a fantastic piece of military hardware. It has a unlimitied military applications.I like it. Oh, I agree, but this must have been on the drawing board for years before our current T-in-C. My favorite use of the marvelous piece of hardware is to arm it with a targeting mirror and a laser and hit targets on the ground or in space. How Dr. Evil. Can we expect sharks with lasers next? Actually thats nice. Mike Myers was a genius. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argyle58 Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 Interesting.....the X-37B is an unmanned vehicle, supposedly being flown "supported" by something called the U. S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. Somehow, that unit name does not bring up visions of peaceful endeavors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErnstBlofeld Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 Interesting.....the X-37B is an unmanned vehicle, supposedly being flown "supported" by something called the U. S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. Somehow, that unit name does not bring up visions of peaceful endeavors. Fact Sheet on the U. S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=3466&page=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casino67 Posted August 26, 2010 Author Share Posted August 26, 2010 Could it possibly be used to scoop up ailing satellites, return to base for repair and then reinsert them into orbit? Or possibly capture other peoples birds for study or to destroy their capabilities? Uses seem to be unending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clearvision Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 Interesting.....the X-37B is an unmanned vehicle, supposedly being flown "supported" by something called the U. S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. Somehow, that unit name does not bring up visions of peaceful endeavors. Fact Sheet on the U. S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=3466&page=1 OK Sorry, but this: reports directly to a Board of Directors chaired by the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics. Board members also include the secretary of the Air Force, the Air Force chief of staff, and the assistant secretary of the Air Force (acquisition). The office responds to Combat Air Force and combatant command requirements. Does not translate to Rapid... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErnstBlofeld Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 Interesting.....the X-37B is an unmanned vehicle, supposedly being flown "supported" by something called the U. S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. Somehow, that unit name does not bring up visions of peaceful endeavors. Fact Sheet on the U. S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=3466&page=1 OK Sorry, but this: reports directly to a Board of Directors chaired by the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics. Board members also include the secretary of the Air Force, the Air Force chief of staff, and the assistant secretary of the Air Force (acquisition). The office responds to Combat Air Force and combatant command requirements. Does not translate to Rapid... That was the USAF factsheet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argyle58 Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 Interesting.....the X-37B is an unmanned vehicle, supposedly being flown "supported" by something called the U. S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. Somehow, that unit name does not bring up visions of peaceful endeavors. Fact Sheet on the U. S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=3466&page=1 OK Sorry, but this: reports directly to a Board of Directors chaired by the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology, and logistics. Board members also include the secretary of the Air Force, the Air Force chief of staff, and the assistant secretary of the Air Force (acquisition). The office responds to Combat Air Force and combatant command requirements. Does not translate to Rapid... Yeah, and this: MissionThe Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office expedites development and fielding of select Department of Defense combat support and weapon systems by leveraging defense-wide technology development efforts and existing operational capabilities. The Board of Directors tasks the office directly to address needs that involve mission applications and operational concepts requiring specialized expertise, and involve sensitive activities managed by other government agencies. The office also conducts projects on accelerated timelines. does kind of bear out the assertions that this is a precursor to the weaponization of space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clearvision Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 Didn't we sign something with the UN saying we would not weaponize space? If not, as soon as the WH hears this group exists, we will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErnstBlofeld Posted August 26, 2010 Share Posted August 26, 2010 Didn't we sign something with the UN saying we would not weaponize space? If not, as soon as the WH hears this group exists, we will. I believe you are referring to the UN's 1967 Outer Space Treaty and the SALT II treaty.The SALT II treaty (1979) prohibited the deployment of FOBS systems. But I think its inevitable that space warfare will be a reality.The Chinese ASAT program and the ability of our SM-3s are a good example. http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/world/china/asat.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now