The US Air Force's X-37B Space Plane has completed a nearly 2 year secret flight. Any thoughts?

Think they can get some good photos from up there on that thing?

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

Gauntlets28 · 26-30, M

I think it's an exciting development. Space planes are the future of space travel, although I prefer something more "single stage" like the Skylon programme, that didn't need a launch vehicle to get it sufficiently high up to reach space. It's just a lot less neat, and has more risks attached.
Still, what does the Air Force want with a space plane? Surely there are better ways to get surveillance?

UndeadPrivateer · 31-35, M

@Gauntlets28: It's not entirely clear, honestly. My guess is that they're using it to place cubesats or some other similarly tiny satellites in orbit for surveillance purposes. The thing is pretty small, can't really carry much of a payload.

Gauntlets28 · 26-30, M

@UndeadPrivateer: Yeah, it does look small. Cubesats huh? Tremendous, we needed more space junk, eh? And this lot's smaller than the old sats. Easier to lose track of...

UndeadPrivateer · 31-35, M

@Gauntlets28: They're harmless, cubesats just fall into the atmosphere and burn up. They don't put them in high orbit where they get stuck for long periods like communications satellites and such. Most only have a lifespan of 5 years, if that. Many are only put up for a single year. It's honestly a far more sustainable approach than older satellites.

Gauntlets28 · 26-30, M

@UndeadPrivateer: Oh well that's alright then. Come to think of it, I had heard that when I first read about them, I'd just forgotten. It's a little disturbing how easy it's becoming to spy on people though don'tm you think?

UndeadPrivateer · 31-35, M

@Gauntlets28: Most certainly. The digital age has made attaining information about people incredibly easy. But it swings both ways, good and bad. There are a lot of modern comforts that would not exist without the ease of access to information we have. Gotta take the good with the bad, as they say.