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#240
by
marshal
on 25 Apr, 2010 04:16
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#241
by
Hungry4info3
on 25 Apr, 2010 05:57
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#242
by
marshal
on 25 Apr, 2010 06:30
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#243
by
Ben the Space Brit
on 25 Apr, 2010 14:20
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From Boeing :
Boeing-built Orbital Test Vehicle X-37B Begins 1st Flight
http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1180
I doubt that this has even come close to being decided yet. However, I wonder if this particular vehicle will be reused or whether the USAF will completely disassemble it to assess the effect of the flight on the vehicle and all its components?
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#244
by
edkyle99
on 25 Apr, 2010 15:34
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Well, most of the X-37 is covered in gray or black TPS material, and it is small, I don't imagine it would be as visible as shuttle or ISS.
It has a solar array which, if it deployed correctly, should increase visibility. Part of the problem for ground observers is its likely low-inclination. It probably doesn't fly over Europe, for example.
If the solar array didn't deploy correctly, an early abort reentry was probably planned. I doubt it could reenter and land at Vandenberg without someone noticing! And what about the Centaur for this mission? Hard to believe no one has spotted it yet either.
- Ed Kyle
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#245
by
William Graham
on 25 Apr, 2010 17:18
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And what about the Centaur for this mission? Hard to believe no one has spotted it yet either.
It did perform a burn after separation. Although it was assumed that it raised its orbit, it could have been a deorbit burn.
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#246
by
JosephB
on 25 Apr, 2010 19:13
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From Boeing :
Boeing-built Orbital Test Vehicle X-37B Begins 1st Flight
http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1180
Great shots on the link BUT...
Looks like only Press members can get the Hi-res versions.
Any members of the press care to post these Hi-res photos on this thread? There is one in particular that shows the belly quite nicely.
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#247
by
William Graham
on 25 Apr, 2010 23:47
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And what about the Centaur for this mission? Hard to believe no one has spotted it yet either.
It did perform a burn after separation. Although it was assumed that it raised its orbit, it could have been a deorbit burn.
A source has informed me that the Centaur is still in orbit.
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#248
by
Rocket Guy
on 25 Apr, 2010 23:53
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Escape velocity firing was heard on the broadcast during launch.
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#249
by
yg1968
on 26 Apr, 2010 00:02
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#250
by
Danderman
on 26 Apr, 2010 01:33
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Escape velocity firing was heard on the broadcast during launch.
Are you suggesting that the Centaur went into an escape trajectory? Is that possible? Why not deorbit the stage instead?
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#251
by
Art LeBrun
on 26 Apr, 2010 01:37
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Escape velocity firing was heard on the broadcast during launch.
Are you suggesting that the Centaur went into an escape trajectory? Is that possible? Why not deorbit the stage instead?
If sent on escape trajectory (or any other) would this be the first stage without a payload in a similar path?
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#252
by
Proponent
on 26 Apr, 2010 02:45
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If [the Centaur was] sent on escape trajectory (or any other) would this be the first stage without a payload in a similar path?
No; see
AV-017 last October, as well as Apollo 9's S-IVB. There may have been others.
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#253
by
TimL
on 26 Apr, 2010 03:15
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Also MRO (AV-007) & PNH (AV-010)
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#254
by
Nascent Ascent
on 26 Apr, 2010 03:20
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Maybe they want the Centaur hanging around so that they can play tag or hide-and-seek with it?
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#255
by
jcm
on 26 Apr, 2010 03:22
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Escape velocity firing was heard on the broadcast during launch.
really? Very interesting... I thought the commentary stopped at Centaur MECO-1... when did they talk about the escape vel. firing?
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#256
by
Ben the Space Brit
on 26 Apr, 2010 09:37
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Escape velocity firing was heard on the broadcast during launch.
That's weird. Could it be a deep-space tracking test with low-power transmissions - trying to keep a lock on the Centaur's telemetry transmissions for as long as possible?
It wouldn't necessarily be a hazard if its orbit re-intersects with Earth in time.
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#257
by
kevin-rf
on 26 Apr, 2010 12:25
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Wasn't it discussed during AV-017 that from a safety/paperwork stand point that if the stage can go to escape it is easier and safer to do than make sure it re-enters in a safe manner.
Besides, on a "supper duper hush hush" mission like this you don't have to issue a NOTAM's for where the upper stage came down. That helps keep the cards a "little" closer.
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#258
by
mmeijeri
on 26 Apr, 2010 12:32
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really? Very interesting... I thought the commentary stopped at Centaur MECO-1... when did they talk about the escape vel. firing?
There were at least two web feeds and while the ones I saw cut off images at the same time, sound went on for a bit longer on one of them. I heard them say something about a disposal burn to escape for the Centaur.
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#259
by
mmeijeri
on 26 Apr, 2010 12:36
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Maybe they want the Centaur hanging around so that they can play tag or hide-and-seek with it?
That would be tag or hide-and-seek with a
dead Centaur, wouldn't it?
