Photos: X-37B After Landing

Posted
by
Doug Messier
on December 4, 2010, at 1:15 pm
in Boeing and X-37
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Comments: 6 responses
6 Comments

The X-37B sits on the Vandenberg Air Force base runway during post-landing operations Dec. 3. The X-37B, named Orbital Test Vehicle 1 (OTV-1), conducted on-orbit experiments for more than 220 days during its maiden voyage. It fired its orbital maneuver engine in low-earth orbit to perform an autonomous reentry before landing. (Credit: Air Force Space Command)


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  • http://www.gdunge.com Doug Weathers

    Great pictures, thanks!

    Based on the bunny suits, it looks like toxic fuel must have been on board.

    I am surprised by the hinge assemblies for the payload doors. They look kind of low tech. If I’m interpreting the picture correctly, the hinge pins are on the outside, exposed to the atmosphere. This is a higher-drag configuration than having the hinge pins inside. I *think* the Shuttle’s payload door hinges have internal hinge pins so it’s smoother on the outside.

    Hmmm. Did they need the internal room that badly, or does it turn out that the hinges aren’t out in the high-speed flow? The Shuttle’s sides are straight, while the X-37B is more curved. Maybe that’s it.

  • Justin Sluka

    Actually, based on both the suits and what one of the guys is holding, I’d say it had some sort of radioactive payload. Maybe an experimental xenon propulsion system?

  • bob dobbs

    gas sniffer not geiger counter. Peroxide is used for OMS thrusters most likely

  • vince

    OK, there it is. Since about 1990 alternative news sources have been talking about a black project called “Aurora.” There has been a categorical denial by government of this project. The drawings of the Aurora looked exactly like this aircraft and it is obviously a inner/outer space craft.

  • Paul451

    [Laughs]

  • dude…

    Vince, where have you been, man?