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.
Quote from: Jester on 02/15/2017 09:36 amHello !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!
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.)
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 02/25/2017 10:56 pmThe 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
Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 05/13/2015 12:26 amWe'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,ZubenelgenubiEDIT re: former OPFs.Following up on some of my questions:From May 18, 2015: Preview: X-37B spaceplane to journey back into space WednesdayQuoteThis 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 orbitQuoteBut 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
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,ZubenelgenubiEDIT re: former OPFs.
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.”
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.
Quote from: Jim on 02/25/2017 11:26 pmQuote from: zubenelgenubi on 02/25/2017 10:56 pmThe 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 AstrotechInteresting...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.Quote from: zubenelgenubi on 05/20/2015 07:21 pmQuote from: zubenelgenubi on 05/13/2015 12:26 amWe'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,ZubenelgenubiEDIT re: former OPFs.Following up on some of my questions:From May 18, 2015: Preview: X-37B spaceplane to journey back into space WednesdayQuoteThis 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 orbitQuoteBut 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,ZubenelgenubiThere 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. <snip>
Quote from: vapour_nudge on 11/23/2016 08:51 pmQuote from: vapour_nudge on 09/07/2016 12:47 pmQuote from: vapour_nudge on 05/20/2016 05:31 pmQuote from: DeanG1967 on 05/15/2016 05:28 am6 days away from 1 year.And 1 year is up. A long way to go yet to equal the last mission of 675 daysThis mission is now the second longest duration for the X37B at (currently) 475 days.This mission is now at 550 daysNow at 600 days
Quote from: vapour_nudge on 09/07/2016 12:47 pmQuote from: vapour_nudge on 05/20/2016 05:31 pmQuote from: DeanG1967 on 05/15/2016 05:28 am6 days away from 1 year.And 1 year is up. A long way to go yet to equal the last mission of 675 daysThis mission is now the second longest duration for the X37B at (currently) 475 days.This mission is now at 550 days
Quote from: vapour_nudge on 05/20/2016 05:31 pmQuote from: DeanG1967 on 05/15/2016 05:28 am6 days away from 1 year.And 1 year is up. A long way to go yet to equal the last mission of 675 daysThis mission is now the second longest duration for the X37B at (currently) 475 days.
Quote from: DeanG1967 on 05/15/2016 05:28 am6 days away from 1 year.And 1 year is up. A long way to go yet to equal the last mission of 675 days
6 days away from 1 year.
Quote from: vapour_nudge on 01/11/2017 07:12 amQuote from: vapour_nudge on 11/23/2016 08:51 pmQuote from: vapour_nudge on 09/07/2016 12:47 pmQuote from: vapour_nudge on 05/20/2016 05:31 pmQuote from: DeanG1967 on 05/15/2016 05:28 am6 days away from 1 year.And 1 year is up. A long way to go yet to equal the last mission of 675 daysThis mission is now the second longest duration for the X37B at (currently) 475 days.This mission is now at 550 daysNow at 600 daysAbout a week away from the previous flight record of 675 days
Looking at the NOTAMS i'm wondering if the landing ground track for #X37B #OTV4 was similar to #STS135 Orbit 200 plan #shuttle @waynehale