Author Topic: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B OTV-4) - May 20, 2015 to May 7, 2017 - UPDATES  (Read 191868 times)

Offline Jester

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #360 on: 02/15/2017 09:36 am »
Hello !

https://twitter.com/eHardinda/status/831520692847964160

"My coworker took this pic on Thursday of an X-37 making its way from the Shuttle Landing Facility to the OPF. #X37B #Boeing @usairforce #KSC"

Looks like mock-up, used for tow/interface tests, obviously not the real thing.
« Last Edit: 02/15/2017 09:45 am by Jester »

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #361 on: 02/15/2017 06:01 pm »
Hello !

https://twitter.com/eHardinda/status/831520692847964160

"My coworker took this pic on Thursday of an X-37 making its way from the Shuttle Landing Facility to the OPF. #X37B #Boeing @usairforce #KSC"

Looks like mock-up, used for tow/interface tests, obviously not the real thing.


Huh, wonder if that is a repainted X-37A!
« Last Edit: 02/15/2017 06:01 pm by Ronsmytheiii »

Offline Jester

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #362 on: 02/15/2017 08:47 pm »
Hello !

https://twitter.com/eHardinda/status/831520692847964160

"My coworker took this pic on Thursday of an X-37 making its way from the Shuttle Landing Facility to the OPF. #X37B #Boeing @usairforce #KSC"

Looks like mock-up, used for tow/interface tests, obviously not the real thing.


Huh, wonder if that is a repainted X-37A!

Nope, X-37A (ALTV) looks slightly different, and ruddervator position/angle is off.
« Last Edit: 02/15/2017 08:47 pm by Jester »

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #363 on: 02/25/2017 10:56 pm »
The Astrotech Mission History web site pages http://www.astrotechspaceoperations.com/mission-history list AFSPC-5 as one of their missions.

I thought it was processed by Boeing in the former OPF-1 (or 2)?

Did Astrotech subcontract to Boeing on this job, performing work in the Boeing facility?

(The first 3 flights of the X-37B were processed at Astrotech Titusville.)
« Last Edit: 02/25/2017 11:20 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline Jim

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #364 on: 02/25/2017 11:26 pm »
The Astrotech Mission History web site pages http://www.astrotechspaceoperations.com/mission-history list AFSPC-5 as one of their missions.

I thought it was processed by Boeing in the former OPF-1 (or 2)?

Did Astrotech subcontract to Boeing on this job, performing work in the Boeing facility?

(The first 3 flights of the X-37B were processed at Astrotech Titusville.)

All flights have been processed at Astrotech

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #365 on: 02/26/2017 07:43 pm »
The Astrotech Mission History web site pages http://www.astrotechspaceoperations.com/mission-history list AFSPC-5 as one of their missions.

I thought it was processed by Boeing in the former OPF-1 (or 2)?

Did Astrotech subcontract to Boeing on this job, performing work in the Boeing facility?

(The first 3 flights of the X-37B were processed at Astrotech Titusville.)

All flights have been processed at Astrotech

Interesting...the consensus assumption was that the X-37B Flight 4 processing was performed by Boeing in the former OPF-1 (or 2).
EDIT 2/27: The consensus assumption in 2015, for this flight, was wrong.

Please see my post from this thread, May 20, 2015, for some background.

We've seen no imagery of the spacecraft's enclosure in the payload fairing (yet).  Why?  (I checked the "usual" web sites--did not find.)

There is such imagery from within Astrotech for the 1st (and 2nd, 3rd?) flights.

Also seeking confirmation (if possible)--this OTV was processed for launch within the former OPF-1 &/or -2?  Is that the reason?

Curious,
Zubenelgenubi

EDIT re: former OPFs.
Following up on some of my questions:

From May 18, 2015: Preview: X-37B spaceplane to journey back into space Wednesday
Quote
This latest mission comes amid work to convert two former shuttle hangars at Kennedy Space Center over [to] the X-37B post-flight refurbishment halls. The Air Force won’t say if OTV 4 was readied for flight at KSC.

“OTV is leveraging previous space shuttle investments and the OPF facilities to conduct recovery and refurbishment activities at a single location,” said Capt. Chris Hoyler, an Air Force spokesperson.

“Upon completion of the preparations at KSC, the program will have two landing options, one at KSC and one at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.”

Why is this information important enough to refuse to confirm or deny?

From May 20, 2015: Recap story: X-37B spaceplane embarks on fourth voyage in orbit
Quote
But the military won’t say which of its two X-37B spaceplanes launched today, the first craft which has flown twice or the second vehicle that has flown once. “No, that information is not releasable due to operational objectives,” said Air Force spokesman Capt. Chris Hoyler.

Again, why is this information important enough to refuse to confirm or deny?

Following on that, are there any distinguishing marks differentiating the two craft?  I know of none.  This wouldn't help distinguish identity at launch--the OTV is under the payload fairing--but it might at landing time (either at KSC or Vandenberg).

Respectfully,
Zubenelgenubi
There are still some unanswered questions remaining from 2 years ago.

EDITed back in the links and quotes that were supposed to be in my May 2015 post when posted.
« Last Edit: 02/27/2017 01:38 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline russianhalo117

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #366 on: 02/27/2017 12:43 am »
The Astrotech Mission History web site pages http://www.astrotechspaceoperations.com/mission-history list AFSPC-5 as one of their missions.

I thought it was processed by Boeing in the former OPF-1 (or 2)?

Did Astrotech subcontract to Boeing on this job, performing work in the Boeing facility?

(The first 3 flights of the X-37B were processed at Astrotech Titusville.)

All flights have been processed at Astrotech

Interesting...the consensus assumption was that the X-37B Flight 4 processing was performed by Boeing in the former OPF-1 (or 2).

Please see my post from this thread, May 20, 2015, for some background.

We've seen no imagery of the spacecraft's enclosure in the payload fairing (yet).  Why?  (I checked the "usual" web sites--did not find.)

There is such imagery from within Astrotech for the 1st (and 2nd, 3rd?) flights.

Also seeking confirmation (if possible)--this OTV was processed for launch within the former OPF-1 &/or -2?  Is that the reason?

Curious,
Zubenelgenubi

EDIT re: former OPFs.
Following up on some of my questions:

From May 18, 2015: Preview: X-37B spaceplane to journey back into space Wednesday
Quote
This latest mission comes amid work to convert two former shuttle hangars at Kennedy Space Center over [to] the X-37B post-flight refurbishment halls. The Air Force won’t say if OTV 4 was readied for flight at KSC.

“OTV is leveraging previous space shuttle investments and the OPF facilities to conduct recovery and refurbishment activities at a single location,” said Capt. Chris Hoyler, an Air Force spokesperson.

“Upon completion of the preparations at KSC, the program will have two landing options, one at KSC and one at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.”

Why is this information important enough to refuse to confirm or deny?

From May 20, 2015: Recap story: X-37B spaceplane embarks on fourth voyage in orbit
Quote
But the military won’t say which of its two X-37B spaceplanes launched today, the first craft which has flown twice or the second vehicle that has flown once. “No, that information is not releasable due to operational objectives,” said Air Force spokesman Capt. Chris Hoyler.

Again, why is this information important enough to refuse to confirm or deny?

Following on that, are there any distinguishing marks differentiating the two craft?  I know of none.  This wouldn't help distinguish identity at launch--the OTV is under the payload fairing--but it might at landing time (either at KSC or Vandenberg).

Respectfully,
Zubenelgenubi
There are still some unanswered questions remaining from 2 years ago.

EDITed back in the links and quotes that were supposed to be in my May 2015 post when posted.
Nope, Jim is correct. Eventually future flights will use the former OPF's however Astrotech will perform the work previously done at its own facilities inside the OPF's including transport to SLC-41. as to when this will happen is not public information

Offline Jim

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #367 on: 02/27/2017 01:17 am »
When the vehicles start using the OPF's, Astrotech will have no involvement.

Transport of encapsulated spacecraft has always been the task of the launch vehicle contractor.

Astrotech doesn't process spacecraft, they only provide facilities for others to do the work
« Last Edit: 02/27/2017 01:20 am by Jim »

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #368 on: 02/27/2017 01:43 pm »
Nope, Jim is correct. <snip>

Yes, I'm sure Jim is correct.

I wasn't disputing Jim's statements in reply to my post.  I suppose that I could have made that clearer.  I've gone back today and edited in a clarification--that the consensus assumption in 2015 regarding the processing location was wrong.
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Offline vapour_nudge

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #369 on: 03/18/2017 01:11 am »
6 days away from 1 year.
And 1 year is up. A long way to go yet to equal the last mission of 675 days
This mission is now the second longest duration for the X37B at (currently) 475 days.
This mission is now at 550 days
Now at 600 days
About a week away from the previous flight record of 675 days

Offline vapour_nudge

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #370 on: 03/24/2017 08:22 pm »
6 days away from 1 year.
And 1 year is up. A long way to go yet to equal the last mission of 675 days
This mission is now the second longest duration for the X37B at (currently) 475 days.
This mission is now at 550 days
Now at 600 days
About a week away from the previous flight record of 675 days
This mission now equals the longest elapsed mission of 675 days. Unless it lands today we have a new mission record. I'm aiming for a June landing still

Offline SpaceCadet1983

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #371 on: 03/24/2017 08:46 pm »
My prediction is a KSC landing on or about July 20th.

Offline Star One

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #372 on: 03/27/2017 06:51 am »
Air Force's Mysterious X-37B Space Plane Breaks Orbital Record

http://www.space.com/36205-x-37b-space-plane-breaks-record.html

Offline Alter Sachse

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #373 on: 04/19/2017 04:38 pm »
6 days away from 1 year.
And 1 year is up. A long way to go yet to equal the last mission of 675 days
This mission is now the second longest duration for the X37B at (currently) 475 days.
This mission is now at 550 days
Now at 600 days
About a week away from the previous flight record of 675 days
Today 700 days
One day you're a hero  next day you're a clown  there's nothing that is in between
        Jeff Lynne - "21century man"

Offline Chris Bergin

Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #374 on: 05/07/2017 12:11 pm »
Back!

The #AirForce #X37B #OTV4 has returned from orbit and has landed safely @NASAKennedy. Stay tuned for more info.
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Offline Chris Bergin

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Offline Jester

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #376 on: 05/07/2017 01:29 pm »
« Last Edit: 05/07/2017 01:41 pm by Jester »

Offline edkyle99

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #377 on: 05/07/2017 01:52 pm »
Did anyone actually see the landing or the approach?

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 05/07/2017 01:52 pm by edkyle99 »

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #378 on: 05/07/2017 02:07 pm »
Quote
Looking at the NOTAMS i'm wondering if the landing ground track for #X37B #OTV4 was similar to #STS135 Orbit 200 plan #shuttle @waynehale

https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/861217995502362624

Offline Star One

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Re: LIVE: Atlas V 501- AFSPC-05 (X-37B) - May 20, 2015
« Reply #379 on: 05/07/2017 02:14 pm »
Hope we get some video of the landing.

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