X-37C: plans for a crewed version of the X-37

[Jason1701]

This is a “mission change” for the test program, but could be well worth it in the future.  The Original design specs might have changed.   Some of the published x37b specs have an uber high orbit (much higher than the ISS).

... which goes to show that X-37 has far more performance in some respects than is needed for ISS resupply, and is woefully deficient in others.

MSL has some attributes in common with an ISS Crew Return Vehicle, but I don't see threads about that.

[Rocket Science]

This could be Boeing playing mind games with SNC…

[Jorge]

This could be Boeing playing mind games with SNC…

Or it could be the Boeing X-37 team playing mind games with the Boeing CST-100 team.

NASA could put a stop to this really quick by telling Boeing Corporate that NASA will only fund one or the other.

[arkaska]

Huh?  Name an ORU that weighs less than 400lb.   HTV and Dragon can deliver ORUs

Chances that X-37 goes to ISS are close to nil

There are however large ORU's that can't be delivered by HTV/Dragon but can be delivered by X-37C. I know that chance that it will fly is almost zero but the article is there so the discussion is appropriate.

[Jim]

ORU's can be delivered by any powerpoint spacecraft 

[Jim]

[quote author=Prober link=topic=27010.msg816627#msg816627 


NASA could have a real winner here and doesn’t really know it.  Right now I would love to see NASA work with USAF on this. Given the specs of the X37 run a test to fly to the ISS (no birthing) and after sometime return.     

This is a “mission change” for the test program, but could be well worth it in the future.  The Original design specs might have changed.   Some of the published x37b specs have an uber high orbit (much higher than the ISS).

[/quote]

There is no point for such a test.  It provides no benefit to NASA

[Prober]

This could be Boeing playing mind games with SNC…

Or it could be the Boeing X-37 team playing mind games with the Boeing CST-100 team.

NASA could put a stop to this really quick by telling Boeing Corporate that NASA will only fund one or the other.

Sorry but NASA can't tell Darpa or the USAF what to do.

[Jim]

Huh?

Jorge wasnt talking about the USAF(DARPA is not involved anymore), he was talking about Boeing and it proposals to NASA

[Prober]

[quote author=Prober link=topic=27010.msg816627#msg816627 


NASA could have a real winner here and doesn’t really know it.  Right now I would love to see NASA work with USAF on this. Given the specs of the X37 run a test to fly to the ISS (no birthing) and after sometime return.     

This is a “mission change” for the test program, but could be well worth it in the future.  The Original design specs might have changed.   Some of the published x37b specs have an uber high orbit (much higher than the ISS).

There is no point for such a test.  It provides no benefit to NASA
[/quote]

This could the backup plan many are looking for?

As a general rule testing the automation of the Vehicle would be good for all interested parties.

Say enough fuel for 30 days operation.
Run the standard Cots 3 programs of Orbital or SpaceX.

IMHO, if those tests provide "Valuable data" for those two companies, than a test of this vehicle is also valid.

[Jorge]

This could be Boeing playing mind games with SNC…

Or it could be the Boeing X-37 team playing mind games with the Boeing CST-100 team.

NASA could put a stop to this really quick by telling Boeing Corporate that NASA will only fund one or the other.

Sorry but NASA can't tell Darpa or the USAF what to do.

Wrong. For crew/cargo to ISS, NASA damn well can tell them what to do, and they will.

[Prober]

Huh?

Jorge wasnt talking about the USAF(DARPA is not involved anymore), he was talking about Boeing and it proposals to NASA

and I say you can't put a price on "testing".  It would be very valuable to all parties.   Who says they can't be brought in on this?

[Jim]

[

This could the backup plan many are looking for?

As a general rule testing the automation of the Vehicle would be good for all interested parties.

Say enough fuel for 30 days operation.
Run the standard Cots 3 programs of Orbital or SpaceX.

IMHO, if those tests provide "Valuable data" for those two companies, than a test of this vehicle is also valid.

No, no and noquote

No, there is no backup plan it can be used for nor is there one needed for cargo.

No,

No,  it does not privide useful data because there is no ISS role fir it

[Jorge]

Huh?

Jorge wasnt talking about the USAF(DARPA is not involved anymore), he was talking about Boeing and it proposals to NASA

and I say you can't put a price on "testing".

You're entitled to your opinion. I disagree. A price is put on testing all the time.

  It would be very valuable to all parties.   Who says they can't be brought in on this?

NASA's budget is already stretched thin. The money will have to come from somewhere. If DARPA/USAF/Boeing want to do standalone manned tests on their own dime, they are welcome to do so and there is no need for NASA to contribute funds. If Boeing wants to send this thing to ISS, they must conform to NASA's VV/Commercial Crew requirements, and they must do so without making their DARPA/USAF customer unhappy.

[erioladastra]

This could be Boeing playing mind games with SNC…

Or it could be the Boeing X-37 team playing mind games with the Boeing CST-100 team.

NASA could put a stop to this really quick by telling Boeing Corporate that NASA will only fund one or the other.

NASA has no reason to put a stop to it - they aren't paying for it and if it could lead to another vehicle the better for them.  And it might help the CST or other vehicles - though with the military shorud around it blackwalling it that may be unlikely.

[Space Pete]

HTV and Dragon can deliver ORUs

Yes, but not return.

[Jorge]

This could be Boeing playing mind games with SNC…

Or it could be the Boeing X-37 team playing mind games with the Boeing CST-100 team.

NASA could put a stop to this really quick by telling Boeing Corporate that NASA will only fund one or the other.

NASA has no reason to put a stop to it - they aren't paying for it and if it could lead to another vehicle the better for them.

Of course they aren't paying for it *now*. But Boeing wouldn't be pushing this vehicle for the ISS crew/cargo role unless they expected NASA to pay for it in the *future*. *That* is what I'm talking about. I thought it was obvious enough I didn't need to spell it out.

Anyway, I believe it is already NASA policy to only accept one proposal per company for CRS/CCDev/CCP awards, so a collision with CST-100 is inevitable at some point if this goes forward.

  And it might help the CST or other vehicles - though with the military shorud around it blackwalling it that may be unlikely.

I consider it *vanishingly* unlikely, and fraught with potential for unintended consequences (see Hubble).

[Jim]

Huh?

Jorge wasnt talking about the USAF(DARPA is not involved anymore), he was talking about Boeing and it proposals to NASA

and I say you can't put a price on "testing".  It would be very valuable to all parties.   Who says they can't be brought in on this?

It is not valuable to NASA, since they have  no use for it

[Patchouli]

Or it could be the Boeing X-37 team playing mind games with the Boeing CST-100 team.

NASA could put a stop to this really quick by telling Boeing Corporate that NASA will only fund one or the other.

Or Boeing trying to market a vehicle they already have flying for on demand cargo so they can demonstrate something before OSC and Spacex become too entrenched.
It also could test rendezvous systems for the CST-100.
A lidar and radar is not going to care what it's attached to Spacex and the Orion team used the Shuttle to test their systems.

Crew would have to wait until the X-37C putting a crew member inside the X-37B is crazy talk it would be less insane to ride the cargo version of Dragon.

They could be considering the X-37C as their next step if the CST-100 works out well to stay ahead of the competition.
Lets face it Spacex's block II Dragon and SNC's Dream Chaser are a lot snazzier then the CST-100 and probably cheaper to operate.

[clongton]

Boeing is probably just fulfilling the terms of its DoD contract.

[Prober]

All good points, however all are still missing the point of this new technology.   The info out there says 40 new embeded technologies are in this project.

The real “asset” of the x37b program.    It’s further along, tested, and it works!   That’s the real excitement here.   

To those who say its not worth further testing, why not, It works! Launch to long orbit, and auto return.   Alot of decent ideas to build on.

Speaking for myself.....have half a dozen "Derivatives" on paper before this article came out.

I'll list two (in very general terms).
1) Emergency ISS lifeboat
2) X37B = USA Progress

Won't go into details, get paid for that.