The newest secret spacecraft, recently tested in the United States, apparently does not pull either a unique orbital bomber or a space combat platform.
A month ago, when the Pentagon tested a new unmanned spacecraft, the darkest assumptions about its purpose arose - we covered these events in the article "Secret Shuttle". Since then, the opinions of experts have by no means become more balanced, to the point that it has come to hypotheses that the X-37B ship is a prototype of an "orbital bomber" or a warship for destroying an enemy satellite group, presumably using a laser installation.
Of course, the leadership of our army showed particular concern. Since then, several generals have already made statements that Russia urgently needs its own space weapons. But the reality, apparently, is much more prosaic. Experts from the Secure World Foundation, who are involved in the peaceful use of space, presented their own analysis of the scanty information about the shuttle and its flight, which became available to the public. In their opinion, the X-37B is just another orbital reconnaissance vehicle.
It is known that shuttles have been used more than once to deliver reconnaissance satellites into orbit. But these reusable ships are being decommissioned - and now is the time for their more modern version, unmanned, not so massive and expensive, but also reusable. According to Secure World experts, such a platform, equipped with the necessary sensors and equipment, can remain in orbit for weeks or even months. The versatility of the cargo bay allows the X-37B to be used as the basis for a wide variety of reconnaissance vehicles, without having to redesign the platform every time. And his ability to maneuver will help to quickly change the observation area, if necessary.
One of the Foundation's experts, former US Air Force Space Command officer Brian Weeden, explains: “Imagine a war break out somewhere in the world. The command operating in it requires a particularly dense coverage of search and reconnaissance satellites. Then it is enough to load the X-37V with the necessary equipment and launch it into the required orbit."
Other uses for the X-37B Weeden considers "much less likely." For example, the version that the device is intended for repairing satellites (or any direct manipulation with them, including with enemy vehicles), is unlikely to be true, if only because the X-37B cargo compartment, according to Wyden, will not fit most of the components used in military satellites today.
Even more incredible, he considers the version of the "orbital bomber". Weeden writes: "Weapons ejected from his cargo hold must be equipped with powerful booster modules (for deorbiting and movement to the target), which would be very difficult to place in this small volume." Moreover, at the moment of deorbiting, the X-37B will not be a very fast-flying and by no means maneuverable target, an easy prey for many modern air defense systems.
However, the very appearance of the X-37B is a remarkable fact and not too joyful. He clearly states that the militarization of outer space continues. It does not matter what kind of mission the apparatus undertakes, the share of the "military" in orbit is growing, the rest of the space powers are also more and more interested in such military instruments - and we can only hope that the share of peaceful vehicles will grow faster.
