Does it matter whether its from Boeing or SNC or anyone else.
X-37 has been proven. It already has two long duration flights in space as well as automated landing system.
Why not just abandon Dream Chaser and just build a larger version of X-37. Dream Chaser is still a dream, where X-37 design has been proven and it works. I would even further that they should abandon Boeing CEV and replace it with X-37??? that will hold 7 astronauts.
Just my thoughts. This is what people were expecting and not a return to Apollo design. I would think that this would rekindle peoples imagination.
X-37CIn 2011, Boeing announced plans for a scaled-up variant of the X-37B, referring to the spacecraft as the X-37C. The size of the X-37C would be approximately 165 to 180% of the X-37B, allowing it to transport up to six astronauts inside a pressurized compartment housed in the cargo bay. The X-37C's proposed launch vehicle is the Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle.[52] X-37C may compete with Boeing's CST-100 space capsule.[53]
On wikipedia, it says that being will be building X-37C and may complete against CST-100. Is this still ongoing or is it over? Is Boeing still going forward in building X-37C to complete against Dream Chaser?QuoteX-37CIn 2011, Boeing announced plans for a scaled-up variant of the X-37B, referring to the spacecraft as the X-37C. The size of the X-37C would be approximately 165 to 180% of the X-37B, allowing it to transport up to six astronauts inside a pressurized compartment housed in the cargo bay. The X-37C's proposed launch vehicle is the Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle.[52] X-37C may compete with Boeing's CST-100 space capsule.[53]
Thanks for educating me on the existence of X-37C.Oh man, this is what they should be building. This design is soooo exiting. It is exactly what I was looking for after post shuttle replacement designs. To bad its not being furthered. I do hope that boeing goes forward with it.http://www.spacesafetymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mid-aft-apas-x-37b.jpghttp://www.spacesafetymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/x-37b-size-comparison.jpghttp://www.spacesafetymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/x-37b-cargo-transfer.jpghttp://www.spacesafetymagazine.com/2011/10/08/boeing-x-37c/
And you can thank Constellation for killing it. Don't forget, the X-37 was part of the test bed for the pre-Griffin Orbital Space Plane program. That it exists at all is due to the USAF picking up the program after NASA cancelled it.
Quote from: Downix on 06/09/2012 05:33 pmAnd you can thank Constellation for killing it. Don't forget, the X-37 was part of the test bed for the pre-Griffin Orbital Space Plane program. That it exists at all is due to the USAF picking up the program after NASA cancelled it.That's a bit of mangling history.
Thanks for educating me on the existence of X-37C.Oh man, this is what they should be building. This design is soooo exiting. It is exactly what I was looking for after post shuttle replacement designs. To bad its not being furthered. I do hope that boeing goes forward with it.