X-37B Marks One Year In Orbit - Still No Updated Landing Date From The USAF

An X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle passed one year in orbit March 5th, with no indication from the Air Force when it will return the unmanned spacecraft to earth.

The X-37B launched March 5th, 2011 from Cape Canaveral, FL, and the public was told it would land at Vandenberg AFB some 270 days later. But that date came and went, and the X-37B conintued to circle the globe. No new date for a landing has been announced.

The spacecraft is capable of operating autonoumously. The second of two built in secrecy by Boeing, is officially a platform to test new space technologies such as satellite sensors. But the Los Angeles Times reports that there are many groups and individuals who believe the Air Force is testing a space-based weapon capable of carrying out bombing missions or disabling satellites.


Source: 09 March 2012 - www.af.mil

Photo: An X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle taxis on the flightline during testing. (Photo by cdn.theatlantic.com)


(9.03.2012)