I hadn't seen this come up anywhere here yet, so if so missed this, please disregard. Fox Business is reporting that SpaceX will be launching an Air Force payload in August and from the sounds of it, it'll be the X37-B. http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2017/06/06/elon-musks-spacex-to-conduct-first-mission-with-u-s-air-force.htmlQuoteTech entrepreneur and founder of aerospace company SpaceX, Elon Musk, is teaming up with the U.S. Air Force for the first time later this summer to conduct a joint mission for the military.Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said on Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee that SpaceX would be sending the next Air Force payload up into space in August via one of the unmanned, reusable X-37B space planes.
Tech entrepreneur and founder of aerospace company SpaceX, Elon Musk, is teaming up with the U.S. Air Force for the first time later this summer to conduct a joint mission for the military.Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said on Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee that SpaceX would be sending the next Air Force payload up into space in August via one of the unmanned, reusable X-37B space planes.
Space-X to launch Air Force's next X-37B on a Falcon 9 August 2017. First X-37B launch not on an Atlas 5. First Air Force payload for Space X (per the article). Launch site (VAFB vs. KSC) not mentioned. http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/06/spacex-launches-us-air-force-x-37b-space-plane.html
I imagine this must have been under discussion for a while. Isn't it quite a big deal technically to assess launching X-37B on a different LV? (aerodynamic forces etc)
I did not expect this, certainly not this soon.Must mean the USAF has a lot of confidence in SpaceX (or they are OK with an elevated level of risk since there are two / maybe program goals are winding down /?).Either way this is a big win for SpaceX, if true.
Quote from: abaddon on 06/06/2017 09:46 pmI did not expect this, certainly not this soon.Must mean the USAF has a lot of confidence in SpaceX (or they are OK with an elevated level of risk since there are two / maybe program goals are winding down /?).Either way this is a big win for SpaceX, if true.It's been reported in several mainstream news sources at this point. Seems very unlikely to be "fake news". Fox did report it after all.
August is .. soon. Wonder if USAF picked out a used booster so they could jump to the head of the queue?
Regarding the booster, surely the USAF will want a new Block 4. I look forward to being surprised yet again if it is flight proven.
Partly reusable launcher launches reusable spaceplane seems kind of apt.
Regarding the booster, surely the USAF will want a new Block 4.
Quote from: abaddon on 06/06/2017 09:54 pmRegarding the booster, surely the USAF will want a new Block 4.Why?