The Air Force Gets An Automated Spacecraft
The constant advance of technology continues to surprise us with unexpected and unique developments created to make our lives easier, more productive and safer. Take a moment to think about some of the tech we’ve seen come out since the last century. There was a time before automatic doors, personal computers, cell phones, Bluetooth headsets and wireless devices ever existed. Such things were only considered part of science fiction once. Now almost anything seems possible with new technology. Just look at the Air Force. They now have a spacecraft designed to operate by itself without a human pilot.
This automated spacecraft is called the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, created by NASA and Boeing. Its design gives it the likeness of a small space shuttle. Though details about its purpose are currently top secret, the X-37B is scheduled for a test run on April 19. During this demonstration, the spacecraft will complete tasks in low Earth orbit before it automatically lands on a runway in California. The X-37B weighs 11,000 pounds, has a wingspan of under fifteen feet and is thirty feet in length. Cape Canaveral will be its launching point and it will be sent on top of an Atlas V rocket. The spacecraft will also use solar panels to generate electricity while in orbit. It can function independently in space for up to 270 days.
The X-37B can perform its own re-entry and landing procedures as well as orbiting in space automatically. Currently, there is no word to confirm whether or not this spacecraft was designed with weapons capability in mind. However, a defense analyst spoken to AP and said that carrying things of importance in its cargo bay is one possible function for the X-37B as it is used for military assignments and trips to space before returning to Earth. NASA is currently working on development of the spacecraft with many other organizations, including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the effort. On April 19, more information could be released about this automated spacecraft and it will prove whether or not it’s worth such an investment.
