The test flight of the secret unmanned military spacecraft of the US Air Force X-37B ended successfully.
Resembling a reduced orbital stage of the shuttle, the Reusable Orbital Test Vehicle (OIA) landed on Friday at Vandenberg Air Force Base (California), ITAR-TASS reports.
“We are delighted that this project has met all the targets set in orbit for the first mission of the vehicle,” said Lt. Col. Troy Giese of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (AFRCO), which manages the X- 37B, reports RIA Novosti.
The next launch of the X-37B (OTV-2) is scheduled for spring 2011. Earlier it was reported that the US Air Force would conclude a contract for a second X-37B, depending on the success of the current mission.
The X-37B was launched into orbit on April 22nd in an atmosphere of secrecy. For power in orbit, he used solar panels, which, in theory, could allow him to autonomously stay in near-earth space for 270 days. At the same time, additional fuel tanks, coupled with the jet engine, allow it to maneuver in orbit. This explains the sudden change in course that occurred.
In August, X-37B misled observing astronomers around the world by “disappearing” from their field of view for three weeks and reappearing, but in a different orbit.
# {weapon} Experts believe that this mysterious maneuver, in which the shuttle changed its orbit, demonstrating its stealth qualities, may provide another clue to the true purpose of the American apparatus.
Created by a division of the Boeing aerospace corporation, the X-37B was initially developed under the direction of NASA. However, subsequently, a secret unit of the US Air Force became the curator of the project.
It is officially reported that the prototype of the X-37B orbital drone was created to test new technologies for launching into orbit and lowering cargo from it. Meanwhile, the media claim that only a few people in the leadership of the Armed Forces of this country know about the true purpose of the "space tug".
However, many experts say that the creation of such an apparatus, which cost American taxpayers $ 173 million, is economically inexpedient for the declared purposes. They believe that the X-37B was created for reconnaissance purposes, and one of its true missions may also be a space interceptor function, which would allow them to inspect alien spaceships and, if necessary, disable them using kinetic effects.
