It came to stop with the nose wheel on the center line. It looked like it might be about 6 inches off of dead center but that also could be the camera angle. What an amazing space craft.
I can't believe the space shuttle from the 1980's lasted as long as it did, it was like us sending a ford Pinto into space.....They need a cost effective replacement.
Judging by the age of some of the comments, this is a couple years old. What has this test helped design in our current aviation/space exploration achievements? The Mercury/Gemini/Apollo programs compared to today were like Dixie cups and string. Someone said the Shuttle was like the "Pinto;" but I am sure it was a Shelby Cobra at the time. We are spoiled at the accomplishments scientists and engineers reach today, and criticize the past. If it were not for those ideas long ago; the time of travel, and that communication device you probably have next to your head day and night... Would still only be a dream.
It takes a lot of actual flying to get all the data needed. Hypersonic reentry is one of those areas where we have the least amount of hard data simply because you just cannot loiter around and test till you're content. That phase of flight is the rarest and least flown of all. It's fascinating to me.
They are called SCAPE suits(Self-Contained Atmospheric Protection Ensemble). They protect engineers from explosions, since Hydrazine is extremely exothermic and has a very low ignite temperature, the burning is also hypergolic, which means that it starts without any external ignition source. They hook the x-37 up to a pump to purge the fuel before it can be transported...Hydrazine is also highly toxic and dangerously unstable, especially in the anhydrous form.
Currently, astronauts aboard the International Space Station use the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, for both transport and resupplying. The Dragon spacecraft, from SpaceX, also has made trips to the ISS, and promises to be a very useful (and reusable) design. Boeing is also working on a reusable pod design, though its name slips my memory.
NASA has already designed and tested a new shuttle design to take people to the ISS. Search Dreamcatcher shuttle in google images if you want to see what it looks like. It's just a really cheap version of the shuttle.
i like the way it looks so ghetto on the outside...like production stopped halfway through and they picked up some drywallers from the front of home depot to finish it....meanwhile.... its in the top 3 space weapons we have. viva la boeing!
bukhrin It was originally designed for two engines but they decided they could fly the mission with a single engine.It's maybe because the launch vehicle was changed from the Delta II to the more powerful Atlas V or maybe to get more space inside the vehicle for experiments.The X-37 was a NASA project and the air force took it over.
Dragon. When the launch escape system is ready "dragon rider" will carry seven at a time BEFORE Orion and SLS is ready. Also see: "Dream Chaser " a winged vehicle currently being tested by Sierra Nevada corp.
I am an aerospace enthusiast... Here's a question that everyone is probably asking right now... "How can something that Stubby glide like that in the video on its final approach to the runway? It looks like R2D2 with small wings..." ANSWER... Think about how the space shuttle flies, it has a nickname called "The Flying Brick" because of how it flies and descends through the atmosphere... Speed is Key, The Space shuttle makes a 30 to 45 degree dive from 10,000 feet before it Flares the runway before it touches down on the tarmac. So think about this... Airspeed, Altitude, Descent Rate, and last but not least... Its own airfoil... Thats right... Notice the rise of the nose 47 seconds into the video. Its own fuselage is the first stage of an airfoil as the wings provide lift as well. so ask yourself this one question, "Ho do YOU think the X-37B glides its way down to the runway?"
I think the public is more worried about what the shuttle was doing up in space rather than the craft itself. The USAF is planning more missions with the X-37, but we won't know for sure what the missions will consist of. Most people fear the X-37 is being use for space war-fare
I really don't understand why they were so secretive about the mission and so open now. The only reason I can think of is that it's being cancelled and therefor the need to have it classified is no longer there.
When the testard republicans started to take over . Until we have a strong DEMOCRATIC government, the US will stay in a down ward spiral. The teatard republics,(more appropriately some where between fascist and oligarchs) are disposed of, nothing is going to change. They are only interested inserving their rich handlers/masters. The rest of us can go to hell, as far as the teatard republican are concerned.
Kanawah Jones Do you really still think there is a difference between republicans and democrats after looking back over the last 236 years and the only thing that changed between the politicians and us is they got richer and we .... didn't. We got stress because those dirty rotten so and so's, if they would just... and then everything would be better. It won't ever happen because they got you where they want you and there is nothing you can do but scream and yell and raise your blood pressure and die early or..... don't.
Kanawah Jones And who is it that keeps re-electing them? We need term limits, limited campaign time to 60 days for local, 90 days for state/congressional and 120 days for president. We need to abolish all PACs, Super PACs and 527s, and prohibit campaign donations of any form, as well as personal fortunes in funding campaigns. Create a public trust with each official candidate receiving a fixed amount to run their campaign. We also need to abolish the electoral college. We also need to require each candidate to have complete three years of STEM education and at least two years of civics classes, stressing the importance of good government and working together to find solutions.
the hazards of it are reminding me of the Me163. I reckon that this thing has been spending a long time going over every square inch of North Korea and Iran. This could be the new Blackbird.
God - not even Boeing can produce a spacecraft that's actually worth investing in and can serve a purpose other than exploration - I'm all for baby steps but they've got enough engineers to really have a go at a commercial spacecraft.
I looked it up. It touches down at 190 knots, but is able to touch down at more than 200 knots. Use this EN-AVT-116-02-APP-01.pdf and some searching savvy to find it yourself.
What was it doing up there for 469 days, specifically, something that required a return. I'm guessing spy missions are not really big on returning anything material these days - it's not like there's a roll of film to bring back and develop anymore. What else?
That is why you shouldn't expect this project to live long. It was probably a test to see how the electronics would fair in a zero-gee, supercold environment like space. It's most likely being developed in the vain hope that humans will go back to space one day.
It's a model of sorts for a next-gen space shuttle, so they have to test how it goes up, stays up, comes down & lands. There are plenty of satellites that can be used for spying, this isn't needed for that.
MATT THEIONCAKE OK because I saw a promo video made by Boeing which was all about the scramjet, and they said that an aircraft that uses one doesn't really need long wing as the speed accomplished is enough to keep it aloft, just like a lifting body.
+Felix Gilmour yeah I have seen the same on that but that's because it has so much power the engine takes in air from the front and compresses the air the releases the compressed air out the back to create a better, faster, burn.
Lots of speculation on the true role of the OTV. Would be very keen to find out when USAF eventually discloses. US Military always one step ahead of the rest of the world.
+laetrille With the other plans of PNAC, they had aspired to establish a dominance to outer space and limit any other entries. This craft soon became a "secret spaceship" that made many trips and stayed in orbit for hundreds of days. It is a spy craft and has a lot to do with jacking around with the other countries' satellites. It is probably lining up EMP devices over countries, the US included. Setting up satellite killers in higher orbits than the targeted countries' satellites and synchronized to their movements. Also there are new weapons that float in low orbit that release nickel rods that are guided in to impact. They are bunker busters and give the same kinetic energy release as a meteor strike, similar to a cruise missile's damage. They were reported to be able to hit anywhere in less than a minute. While the shuttles are gone, it's likely that this thing was hoisting them up and placing them over countries of interest.
+laetrille With a small nuke floating right above any country it's a bigger threat than anything we have, with all rocket powered warheads they get spotted at the moment of launch giving the enemy enough time to react and send a counter strike, With this little sucker being unmanned gives the enemy 0 time to react, All they will see is a bright light and it's over...
If DARPA was smart all satellites sent into orbit should have a re-entry body but along the design of Virgin Galactic approach where you dont need heat tiles and their expense and maintenance costs are eliminated. A valuable satellite like earth observing vehicles rather than destroy them upgrade refuel upgrade and relaunch. It doesnt leave the satellite in orbit or destroy many are 1 off specialized work. In re-usability allows to fly back to vendor or launch site.
Phu Vet Hydrazine is nasty stuff and reacts to organic material such as moist areas like inside your lungs and reacts and creates acid.The guys in jeans was given the OK for whatever his function was.
![KSI - Dirty [Official Visualiser]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VoDh1h1dPUE/mqdefault.jpg)
This technology is just amazing I can't find the words
Being an older guy I see the little flying body that Steve Majors was flying in the start of the TV show "The Six Million Dollar Man".
Wow, how fast was it traveling at touchdown? I know it's much more than the normal 130 knots for combat aircraft.
that is brilliant,, the speed it landed !
At the 31 second mark, the space mechanics look like they are raping one of their own on the tailgate of the secret spacecraft.
It came to stop with the nose wheel on the center line. It looked like it might be about 6 inches off of dead center but that also could be the camera angle. What an amazing space craft.
I can't believe the space shuttle from the 1980's lasted as long as it did, it was like us sending a ford Pinto into space.....They need a cost effective replacement.
Technology is just so awesome now. One year passes, but technology increases 40 years. This looks awesome.
Judging by the age of some of the comments, this is a couple years old. What has this test helped design in our current aviation/space exploration achievements? The Mercury/Gemini/Apollo programs compared to today were like Dixie cups and string. Someone said the Shuttle was like the "Pinto;" but I am sure it was a Shelby Cobra at the time. We are spoiled at the accomplishments scientists and engineers reach today, and criticize the past. If it were not for those ideas long ago; the time of travel, and that communication device you probably have next to your head day and night... Would still only be a dream.
Yeah of course it's old WOULD SOMEONE ACTUALLY READ THE DESCRIPTION
It takes a lot of actual flying to get all the data needed. Hypersonic reentry is one of those areas where we have the least amount of hard data simply because you just cannot loiter around and test till you're content. That phase of flight is the rarest and least flown of all. It's fascinating to me.
They are called SCAPE suits(Self-Contained Atmospheric Protection Ensemble). They protect engineers from explosions, since Hydrazine is extremely exothermic and has a very low ignite temperature, the burning is also hypergolic, which means that it starts without any external ignition source. They hook the x-37 up to a pump to purge the fuel before it can be transported...Hydrazine is also highly toxic and dangerously unstable, especially in the anhydrous form.
That is basically what it is. A smaller, more economical space shuttle plane.
Currently, astronauts aboard the International Space Station use the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, for both transport and resupplying. The Dragon spacecraft, from SpaceX, also has made trips to the ISS, and promises to be a very useful (and reusable) design. Boeing is also working on a reusable pod design, though its name slips my memory.
Cool! Thank you for posting!
Wow really beautiful and what a mega fast approach and landing speed...
Mother of god! That was a fast landing! :O
What an honor it is to be a citizen of USA. Wow this is awesome!!
lol scream freedom while police taze you and politicians pimp you out
+Zakriya MURICA!!! THE DELIVER OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND MCDONALDS!!!
THIS is why I love Boeing!
very small compared to the regular shuttles
NASA has already designed and tested a new shuttle design to take people to the ISS. Search Dreamcatcher shuttle in google images if you want to see what it looks like. It's just a really cheap version of the shuttle.
i like the way it looks so ghetto on the outside...like production stopped halfway through and they picked up some drywallers from the front of home depot to finish it....meanwhile.... its in the top 3 space weapons we have. viva la boeing!
This is aviation moving forward, like it or not.
Why was its main thruster placed off-center? Just curious.
bukhrin It was originally designed for two engines but they decided they could fly the mission with a single engine.It's maybe because the launch vehicle was changed from the Delta II to the more powerful Atlas V or maybe to get more space inside the vehicle for experiments.The X-37 was a NASA project and the air force took it over.
Hey there, didn't really think about it but it make sense now. Thanks!
Dragon. When the launch escape system is ready "dragon rider" will carry seven at a time BEFORE Orion and SLS is ready. Also see: "Dream Chaser " a winged vehicle currently being tested by Sierra Nevada corp.
boy, those guys can run fast
Wow.... unmanned rocket ships... takes us back to the 1950's. One huge step backwards for mankind.
I am an aerospace enthusiast... Here's a question that everyone is probably asking right now... "How can something that Stubby glide like that in the video on its final approach to the runway? It looks like R2D2 with small wings..."
ANSWER... Think about how the space shuttle flies, it has a nickname called "The Flying Brick" because of how it flies and descends through the atmosphere...
Speed is Key, The Space shuttle makes a 30 to 45 degree dive from 10,000 feet before it Flares the runway before it touches down on the tarmac.
So think about this... Airspeed, Altitude, Descent Rate, and last but not least...
Its own airfoil... Thats right... Notice the rise of the nose 47 seconds into the video.
Its own fuselage is the first stage of an airfoil as the wings provide lift as well.
so ask yourself this one question, "Ho do YOU think the X-37B glides its way down to the runway?"
AHHHH So true. :)
The thermal register show a thin line of vulnerability for the x37b unless mitigating countermeasures are set. ADMT capability is unknown.
The next Launch from Boeing X-37B is on 14. Aug.2017 ;)
"Hey guys, let's see how close we can get to the sound barrier on landing."
Looks like a mini-shuttle . . .
.
e
+Luis Morocho 3
+ap000skalLuis Morocho l
+Luis Morocho b
How long is it going to take before these things are put into service?
Why is the main engine placed slightly to the right?
That's a great vehicle
I think the public is more worried about what the shuttle was doing up in space rather than the craft itself. The USAF is planning more missions with the X-37, but we won't know for sure what the missions will consist of. Most people fear the X-37 is being use for space war-fare
There's hardly any wing on the thing so it needs speed....
Isn't this suppose to be secret?
Shhhhh. Just don't tell anyone.
Makes you wonder what they're working on that we don't know about.
maybe
So what was it doing up there for 469 days?
How much runway does that take up?
short final in a blink of an eye !
Please tell me this thing has a .50 Cal in the cargo bay....
its this ship is gonna reach light speed or not? just saying
whatever they are doing thats so classified, i hope its awesome.
So what sinister mission did it carry out?
You can be sure of one thing, you have nothing to worry about. Unless of course you plan on doing harm to the U.S.A..
Based on the video, I'm estimating it at around 110 knots. (Shuttle was around 210 I think?)
Lol they even got a little miniature VAB for it. XD
Thank you soo moch is meeeeezeeen cool
What could be its touchdown speed?
whats the bottom made of?
It's so much smaller than I thought
its a mini space shuttle!
Correction:Unmanned Space Shuttle
I really don't understand why they were so secretive about the mission and so open now. The only reason I can think of is that it's being cancelled and therefor the need to have it classified is no longer there.
X-37B - Orbiter Space Flight Simulator
Those are probably ceramic tiles like the Space Shuttle has to reflect the heat of re-entering the atmosphere. That's a guess.
Looks like a mini shuttle with some parts missing. :P
"This is Farscape One. I am free and flying."
What is it for ?
Testing out sensors for the DoD that can't be tested on the ISS.
What's with the bio suits?
Toxic fuel
It's a safety precaution because of the hypergolic fuels still left in the propulsion system.
UAV but for outer space? looks crazy!
The fact that we have no program after the shuttle retirement is not only a disgrace, but embarrassing as well. When did we lose our edge?
1991
When the testard republicans started to take over .
Until we have a strong DEMOCRATIC government, the US will stay in a down ward spiral. The teatard republics,(more appropriately some where between fascist and oligarchs) are disposed of, nothing is going to change. They are only interested inserving their rich handlers/masters. The rest of us can go to hell, as far as the teatard republican are concerned.
Kanawah Jones Do you really still think there is a difference between republicans and democrats after looking back over the last 236 years and the only thing that changed between the politicians and us is they got richer and we .... didn't. We got stress because those dirty rotten so and so's, if they would just... and then everything would be better. It won't ever happen because they got you where they want you and there is nothing you can do but scream and yell and raise your blood pressure and die early or..... don't.
Kanawah Jones you really think there's a difference in the two parties? Both pander to the rich, always been that way.
Kanawah Jones And who is it that keeps re-electing them? We need term limits, limited campaign time to 60 days for local, 90 days for state/congressional and 120 days for president. We need to abolish all PACs, Super PACs and 527s, and prohibit campaign donations of any form, as well as personal fortunes in funding campaigns. Create a public trust with each official candidate receiving a fixed amount to run their campaign. We also need to abolish the electoral college.
We also need to require each candidate to have complete three years of STEM education and at least two years of civics classes, stressing the importance of good government and working together to find solutions.
AWESOME!!!
Interested to know too.
agree! why the hype? they have to replace the space shuttle some time. good grief, folks!
I thought when i clicked the video there would be 2,000 dislikes, but wow that things amazing
the hazards of it are reminding me of the Me163. I reckon that this thing has been spending a long time going over every square inch of North Korea and Iran. This could be the new Blackbird.
Awesome!!!!!!!!
Amazing
wy the men in white ? is there something chemical or radiotion inside?
dont want that to blow up in the air...!
the USA need to make mares machines
this is cool!
yes
Radiation or toxic fumes perhaps? The stuff this thing has been through up there I wouldn't be surprised they wanted to be safe.
Damn that was hauling ass!
UNMANNED RIGHT????
Cool!
God - not even Boeing can produce a spacecraft that's actually worth investing in and can serve a purpose other than exploration - I'm all for baby steps but they've got enough engineers to really have a go at a commercial spacecraft.
Better tell us what it was doing in space ;)
X-37B LANDS FOLLOWING 2 ND FLIGHT CASTEL
I looked it up. It touches down at 190 knots, but is able to touch down at more than 200 knots.
Use this EN-AVT-116-02-APP-01.pdf and some searching savvy to find it yourself.
Its an unmanned space shuttle
What was it doing up there for 469 days, specifically, something that required a return. I'm guessing spy missions are not really big on returning anything material these days - it's not like there's a roll of film to bring back and develop anymore. What else?
That is why you shouldn't expect this project to live long.
It was probably a test to see how the electronics would fair in a zero-gee, supercold environment like space. It's most likely being developed in the vain hope that humans will go back to space one day.
It's a model of sorts for a next-gen space shuttle, so they have to test how it goes up, stays up, comes down & lands.
There are plenty of satellites that can be used for spying, this isn't needed for that.
Looks around 250-300kts.
does this aircraft use a scramjet engine?
No
MATT THEIONCAKE OK because it kind of looks like the aircraft that would use one.
+Felix Gilmour yeah I know what you mean. but a scram jet engine is not meant to go fully into space like this did
MATT THEIONCAKE OK because I saw a promo video made by Boeing which was all about the scramjet, and they said that an aircraft that uses one doesn't really need long wing as the speed accomplished is enough to keep it aloft, just like a lifting body.
+Felix Gilmour yeah I have seen the same on that but that's because it has so much power the engine takes in air from the front and compresses the air the releases the compressed air out the back to create a better, faster, burn.
Cool.
NASA may be smart BUT HOW IN THE WORLD WILL PEOPLE GET DOWN FROM THE ISS!?!?!?!?!?
Lots of speculation on the true role of the OTV. Would be very keen to find out when USAF eventually discloses. US Military always one step ahead of the rest of the world.
It had a secret cargo of space aliens.
nice
The X-37B uses a hypergolic propellant which extremely toxic.
looks puny compared to the space shuttle
Is this video real???
The new generation unman-space shuttle???
the wings are a little short
+Delta-111 Its a glider, they don't need to be that big.
for it to fly wings need to be a small bit longer id say 1 foot
+Delta-111 yes, because you know better than the world's top aeronautical engineers
Delta-111 Yes, but thats not the purpose of this vehicle. It still flys, but only for very short periods of time.
i realized it 20 mins ago
I come here for the landing
What is this thing for?!?!?
+laetrille its a space plane it can quickly and cheaply send small payloads to space without a rocket like the shuttle needs
+laetrille With the other plans of PNAC, they had aspired to establish a dominance to outer space and limit any other entries.
This craft soon became a "secret spaceship" that made many trips and stayed in orbit for hundreds of days. It is a spy craft and has a lot to do with jacking around with the other countries' satellites.
It is probably lining up EMP devices over countries, the US included. Setting up satellite killers in higher orbits than the targeted countries' satellites and synchronized to their movements.
Also there are new weapons that float in low orbit that release nickel rods that are guided in to impact. They are bunker busters and give the same kinetic energy release as a meteor strike, similar to a cruise missile's damage. They were reported to be able to hit anywhere in less than a minute. While the shuttles are gone, it's likely that this thing was hoisting them up and placing them over countries of interest.
+laetrille With a small nuke floating right above any country it's a bigger threat than anything we have, with all rocket powered warheads they get spotted at the moment of launch giving the enemy enough time to react and send a counter strike, With this little sucker being unmanned gives the enemy 0 time to react, All they will see is a bright light and it's over...
Dark Feather Russia beware.
qq
If DARPA was smart all satellites sent into orbit should have a re-entry body but along the design of Virgin Galactic approach where you dont need heat tiles and their expense and maintenance costs are eliminated. A valuable satellite like earth observing vehicles rather than destroy them upgrade refuel upgrade and relaunch. It doesnt leave the satellite in orbit or destroy many are 1 off specialized work. In re-usability allows to fly back to vendor or launch site.
4 high risk hazmat suited guys walked up to it and were passed by a guy in jeans and a tshirt towards the end....Hilarius
Get your eyes checked. The guy in the jeans walked across the front of the vehicle, not pass the hazmat guys in the back of the craft
Phu Vet Hydrazine is nasty stuff and reacts to organic material such as moist areas like inside your lungs and reacts and creates acid.The guys in jeans was given the OK for whatever his function was.
Rusty Koenig
No comment.
I think the fuel it uses is also toxic.
Haha, bio-suits at 0:23
What were they worried about?
It looks so fust..