US Space Force reveals first look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit

  • Ars previously covered some additional information on the X-37B

    https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/10/the-us-militarys-x-37b...

  • I can't be the only one who, when I read "space force" hears a deep, reverb-heavy, Buck Rogers kind of voice going "spaaaaaaaace foooooooorce"

  • Why might it be desirable to have an observation craft so far away from the earth?

    I'm having a hard time imagining the advantage compared to being a bit closer, unless it's a more energy-efficient parking situation while the vehicle isn't in active use.

  • Given the military heritage of the Space Shuttle, I imagine this is what a hypothetical next generation civilian Space Shuttle might have looked like, too.

  • The wings say USAF, which is Air Force. Though clearly in space…

  • How does it have enough Delta-V to get into that distant of an orbit? Is it able to maneuver to different orbits and inclination? Is it able to return to earth? Or, is it more of a satellite than a ā€œplaneā€? This is my first time learning about this space plane, so apologies if my questions are naive.

  • Interestingly since Space Force was created by Trump who sees it as a prestige project and it depends on Musk's SpaceX for launches this is probably one of the most secure agencies in the current administration.

  • cant wait for space marine branch

  • How far from earth are they to took that picture?

  • When even your secret programs have to do marketing. Don’t cancel me bro!

  • That looks... out there. Is it parked at a Lagrange point?

  • Imagine the next space station being that high up.

  • imagine if noah had this during the deluge mtsm

  • [dead]

  • [flagged]

  • A mere month ago I would have been excited for the new US defence tech.