Author Topic: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012  (Read 183679 times)

Offline edkyle99

  • Expert
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15391
    • Space Launch Report
  • Liked: 8566
  • Likes Given: 1356
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #240 on: 02/06/2014 07:44 pm »
Yeah, but does the atmosphere mask/blur the heat signatures as viewed from space?

ICBM's and aircraft afterburners are a special case since they are above a good portion of the atmosphere.
The atmosphere attenuates IR to an extent that varies by wavelength.  IR sensors have nonetheless been used in some earth observing satellites, including KH-11 according to FAS.  NASA's VIIRS on Suomi NPP has an infrared sensor, as do any number of weather satellites.  The above are not cooled IR sensor types, but cryogenic cooled IR sensors are needed for certain IR wavelengths.  It stands to reason that experimentation with cryo-cooled IR systems might occur for purposes of Earth observation.  It may already have occurred long ago for all I know.

 - Ed Kyle 
« Last Edit: 02/06/2014 07:51 pm by edkyle99 »

Offline Antares

  • ABO^2
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5181
  • Done arguing with amateurs
  • Liked: 371
  • Likes Given: 228
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #241 on: 02/07/2014 07:49 pm »
I started typing a response to this a few days ago, but when I started researching the IR bands that peak at temps where a cryo cooled sensor was needed it didn't make sense (too low for looking down).  IR imagers just need temperature difference.  Something can appear dark (cold) against a hotter background or vice versa.  Was it Thomas Crown Affair where they fooled the IR security cameras by making the room 98.6F?
If I like something on NSF, it's probably because I know it to be accurate.  Every once in a while, it's just something I agree with.  Facts generally receive the former.

Offline robertross

  • Canadian Member
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17939
  • Westphal, Nova Scotia
  • Liked: 659
  • Likes Given: 7692
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #242 on: 02/07/2014 08:27 pm »
I started typing a response to this a few days ago, but when I started researching the IR bands that peak at temps where a cryo cooled sensor was needed it didn't make sense (too low for looking down).  IR imagers just need temperature difference.  Something can appear dark (cold) against a hotter background or vice versa.  Was it Thomas Crown Affair where they fooled the IR security cameras by making the room 98.6F?

Yup (the newer release with Pierce Brosnan & Rene Russo)

Offline kevin-rf

  • Elite Veteran
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8823
  • Overlooking the path Mary's little Lamb took..
  • Liked: 1318
  • Likes Given: 306
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #243 on: 02/07/2014 10:38 pm »
I started typing a response to this a few days ago, but when I started researching the IR bands that peak at temps where a cryo cooled sensor was needed it didn't make sense (too low for looking down).  IR imagers just need temperature difference.  Something can appear dark (cold) against a hotter background or vice versa.  Was it Thomas Crown Affair where they fooled the IR security cameras by making the room 98.6F?

Kinda why I asked the question... I was wondering if sensors that need LHe cooling actually look at bands that won't be masked by the earth background and the earth's atmosphere.

IR sensors are not the only thing that might benefit from LHe cooling, didn't they cool sensitive radio telescope receivers in LN to bring the background noise from the receiver down?
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Offline baldusi

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8356
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Liked: 2539
  • Likes Given: 8273
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #244 on: 02/08/2014 04:31 pm »
IR sensors are not the only thing that might benefit from LHe cooling, didn't they cool sensitive radio telescope receivers in LN to bring the background noise from the receiver down?
That's probably for a superconducting electronic. Those things have zero internal noise, so are super sensitive. Can happen also with magnets, like those proposed for the AMS (then they moved to non superconducting to get a lot more life time) or the CAT scan machines.
But I've never heard of space based LHe that last longer than five years.
« Last Edit: 02/08/2014 04:32 pm by baldusi »

Online AnalogMan

  • Member
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3431
  • Cambridge, UK
  • Liked: 1602
  • Likes Given: 50
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #245 on: 02/08/2014 06:17 pm »
[...]
But I've never heard of space based LHe that last longer than five years.

Spitzer Space Telescope: 360 litres of superfluid LHe to cool several IR sensors.  Launched 25 Aug 2003, LHe was exhausted on 15 March 2009 when telescope continued in its 'warm' phase of operations.  LHe lasted 2090 days, or 5.73 years.

Online ZachS09

  • Space Savant
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8406
  • Roanoke, TX
  • Liked: 2344
  • Likes Given: 2060
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #246 on: 02/08/2014 06:23 pm »
Any ideas when OTV-3 will land at VAFB? ??? Or will the USAF push the limits onwards to allow the spaceplane to stay in orbit for two or more years?
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Offline Star One

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13997
  • UK
  • Liked: 3974
  • Likes Given: 220
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #247 on: 02/08/2014 08:34 pm »
Any ideas when OTV-3 will land at VAFB? ??? Or will the USAF push the limits onwards to allow the spaceplane to stay in orbit for two or more years?

I would not be surprised if it exceeded the length of the last flight, as so far each flight has it appears looked to go longer than the last.

Offline Antares

  • ABO^2
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5181
  • Done arguing with amateurs
  • Liked: 371
  • Likes Given: 228
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #248 on: 02/09/2014 02:35 pm »
I thought the consensus was it will land at the SLF.
If I like something on NSF, it's probably because I know it to be accurate.  Every once in a while, it's just something I agree with.  Facts generally receive the former.

Offline kevin-rf

  • Elite Veteran
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8823
  • Overlooking the path Mary's little Lamb took..
  • Liked: 1318
  • Likes Given: 306
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #249 on: 02/09/2014 06:53 pm »
Maybe it's waiting for the them to finish the paper work needed to change the landing site to SLF ;)
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Offline jacqmans

  • Moderator
  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 21709
  • Houten, The Netherlands
  • Liked: 8562
  • Likes Given: 320
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #250 on: 02/11/2014 09:48 am »
Maybe it's waiting for the them to finish the paper work needed to change the landing site to SLF ;)

Or they are waiting until one of the OPF's is available to store it in ;)
« Last Edit: 02/11/2014 09:48 am by jacqmans »
Jacques :-)

Offline DeanG1967

  • Member
  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 167
  • Liked: 24
  • Likes Given: 11
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #251 on: 03/24/2014 03:28 am »
OTV-2 Launch 03/05/11 and Land 06/16/12 = 469 days

OTV-2 Launch 12/11/12.  469 days will be as of 03/25/14.

How long will she be up there.....Vegas odds are on longer than 469.

Offline Star One

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13997
  • UK
  • Liked: 3974
  • Likes Given: 220
LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #252 on: 03/24/2014 06:23 am »
OTV-2 Launch 03/05/11 and Land 06/16/12 = 469 days

OTV-2 Launch 12/11/12.  469 days will be as of 03/25/14.

How long will she be up there.....Vegas odds are on longer than 469.

I wonder if its endurance is such that it could stay up there into four figures days wise?
« Last Edit: 03/24/2014 06:23 am by Star One »

Offline Star One

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13997
  • UK
  • Liked: 3974
  • Likes Given: 220
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #253 on: 04/08/2014 08:02 pm »
Quote
A secretive mission will pass a quiet milestone at the end of this month when the U.S. Air Force’s unmanned spaceplane the X-37B surpasses 500 days in space.
Launched atop an Atlas V rocket flying in a 401 configuration from Cape Canaveral Florida after several delays on December 11th, 2012 on OTV-3, the X-37B has already surpassed its own record of 469 days in space set on OTV-2. Said milestone was crossed last month. If the current mission stays in space until April 25th of this year, it will have surpassed 500 days in space.
Two X-37Bs were built for the USAF, and the first test mission flew in 2010. NASA performed drop glide tests with an early variant of the X-37A in 2005 and 2006, and DARPA is thought to be a primary customer for the program as well.
Measuring just 8.8 metres in length, the X-37B is tiny compared to its more famous spaceplane cousin the U.S. Space Shuttle. The X-37B has a maximum weight at liftoff of 4,990 kilograms and features a payload bay 2.1 by 1.2 metres in size.

Read more: http://www.universetoday.com/111020/the-usafs-super-secret-x-37b-approaches-a-milestone/#ixzz2yKKkA5JK

Offline Star One

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13997
  • UK
  • Liked: 3974
  • Likes Given: 220

Offline kevin-rf

  • Elite Veteran
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8823
  • Overlooking the path Mary's little Lamb took..
  • Liked: 1318
  • Likes Given: 306
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #255 on: 04/26/2014 09:03 pm »
Was it really launched in 2012?

What ever they where tweaking between flights, the must have finally tweaked it just right ;)

I think we should re-name it Goldilocks. 
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Offline Star One

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13997
  • UK
  • Liked: 3974
  • Likes Given: 220
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #256 on: 04/26/2014 09:06 pm »

Was it really launched in 2012?

What ever they where tweaking between flights, the must have finally tweaked it just right ;)

I think we should re-name it Goldilocks.

Whatever it's carrying must be a payload that consumes very little if any materials, it seems to be unlikely to be something that needs cooling like an IR sensor.

Offline kevin-rf

  • Elite Veteran
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8823
  • Overlooking the path Mary's little Lamb took..
  • Liked: 1318
  • Likes Given: 306
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #257 on: 04/27/2014 04:04 am »
I was referring to the three bears, not her curl's superior IR reflecting capabilities ;)
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Offline Liss

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1882
  • Moscow, Russia
  • Liked: 1084
  • Likes Given: 88
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #258 on: 05/05/2014 06:40 pm »
Can this NOTAM for Vandenberg be related to X-37B landing?

Quote
M0104/14 - RUNWAY CLOSED. 07 MAY 14:30 2014 UNTIL 07 MAY 23:00 2014. CREATED: 04 MAY 17:56 2014
This message reflects my personal opinion based on open sources of information.

Offline JBF

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1459
  • Liked: 472
  • Likes Given: 914
Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501 - X-37B OTV-3 - Dec 11, 2012
« Reply #259 on: 05/05/2014 07:34 pm »
Can this NOTAM for Vandenberg be related to X-37B landing?

Quote
M0104/14 - RUNWAY CLOSED. 07 MAY 14:30 2014 UNTIL 07 MAY 23:00 2014. CREATED: 04 MAY 17:56 2014

Nice catch, I bet you are correct.
"In principle, rocket engines are simple, but that’s the last place rocket engines are ever simple." Jeff Bezos

Tags:
 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement Northrop Grumman
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
0