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ЦитироватьSpaceX wins launch of US Air Force X-37B space plane

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• Elon Musk's Space Exploration Technologies Corp will fly its first mission for the U.S. Air Force in August when it launches the military's X-37B miniature spaceplane.
  

Elon Musk's Space Exploration Technologies will fly its first mission for the U.S. Air Force in August when it launches the military's X-37B miniature spaceplane, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said on Tuesday.

Four previous X-37B missions were launched by United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rockets.

"SpaceX will be sending the next Air Force payload up into space in August," Wilson said during webcast testimony before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. She later specified that the payload would be one of the Air Force's two X-37B spaceplanes.

ЦитироватьU.S. Air Force taps SpaceX to launch next X-37B spaceplane mission             
 June 6, 2017 (https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/06/) Stephen Clark (https://spaceflightnow.com/author/stephen-clark/)
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126486.jpg)
File photo of an X-37B spaceplane being encapsulated inside the nose cone of a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket before its first test flight in April 2010. Credit. U.S. Air Force

A month after an X-37B mini-space shuttle glided to a landing on Kennedy Space Center's runway in Florida, the U.S. Air Force announced Tuesday that the spaceplane's next mission will launch in August aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket for the first time.
The previously-unannounced launch agreement will use a Falcon 9 rocket to loft one of the Air Force's two Boeing-built X-37B spaceplanes, reusable craft that have circled Earth for a combined 2,085 days on four previous flights.
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, displaying a model of the unpiloted spaceplane, disclosed the service's launch plans for the fifth X-37B mission during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday.
"This is the model of the X-37, which will be going up again," Wilson said. "It's a reusable vehicle and will be going up again on top of a SpaceX launcher in August."
Managed by the Air Force's Rapid Capabilities Office, the X-37Bs are about one-quarter the size of a space shuttle orbiter. Built by Boeing's Phantom Works division, each spaceship has a wingspan of nearly 15 feet (4.5 meters) and a length of more than 29 feet (8.9 meters).
The X-37B weighs about 11,000 pounds (5 metric tons) and has typically orbited Earth at altitudes between 200 and 250 miles (320 to 400 kilometers).
The X-37Bs, also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle, take off nestled inside the payload fairing of a conventional rocket, then open payload bay doors and deploy a power-generating solar panel in orbit. The spaceplanes glide back to Earth for a runway landing.
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126438.jpg)
An X-37B spaceplane is towed to a hangar near the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida following a landing May 7. Credit: U.S. Air Force

Спойлер

The craft's four previous missions lifted off on United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rockets from Cape Canaveral, each mission spending progressively longer periods in orbit.
The X-37Bs took off inside the short version of the Atlas 5 rocket's 5-meter-class payload fairing without the aid of strap-on solid rocket boosters, a configuration ULA calls the Atlas 5-501. The Falcon 9's standard payload shroud is approximately the same diameter and length of the Atlas 5's short 5-meter fairing.
The most recent flight, named OTV-4, ended May 7 with the X-37B's first touchdown on the former space shuttle landing strip at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida after 718 days in orbit. The previous three missions landed at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, but the Air Force and Boeing have relocated X-37B launch, landing and processing operations to the Florida spaceport, taking over two former space shuttle hangars near the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building.
The X-37B's missions in space are largely secret, and the robotic spaceship's landing last month was the first time the Air Force did not announce the craft's scheduled return ahead of time. Breaking with disclosures ahead of earlier flights, the Air Force also did not reveal which of the two spaceplanes flew the OTV-4 mission.
Military officials did not identify Tuesday which spacecraft is slated for the fifth X-37B flight.
"We are very excited for the next fifth X-37B mission," said Randy Walden, the director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. "We look forward to continued expansion of the vehicle's performance and are excited to continue hosting experimental payloads for the space community."
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126487.jpg)
File photo of a Falcon 9 launch from pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: SpaceX

The Air Force said in a statement Tuesday that the fifth X-37B flight will include several firsts.
"This mission will be the program's first launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 Upgrade launch vehicle," the Air Force said. "The program also continues to build upon its fourth mission collaboration with experiment partners."
The Air Force Research Laboratory will test experimental electronics and oscillating heat pipes on the X-37B's fifth long-duration spaceflight, military officials said.
Other objectives of the flight remain secret.
"The ability to launch the Orbital Test Vehicle on multiple platforms will ensure a robust launch capability for our experiment designers," Walden said in a statement. "We are excited about this new partnership on creating flexible and responsive launch options and are confident in SpaceX's ability to provide safe and assured access to space for the X-37B program."
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket was certified by the Air Force to launch the military's sensitive and costly national security payloads in 2015. Since that milestone, the Air Force has awarded contracts to SpaceX for launches of two Global Positioning System navigation satellites, and at least a dozen more launch contracts are up for grabs by SpaceX and ULA through 2019.
 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126488.jpg)
File photo of the launch of the fourth X-37B mission in May 2015 on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket. Credit: ULA

Before SpaceX was certified, the Air Force gave launch contracts ULA in sole-source "block buy" awards.
But the rocket contract for the fifth X-37B mission was not listed in a roster of planned competitive space launch procurements provided by Air Force officials in recent months.
SpaceX has up to a half-dozen launches on its schedule before the X-37B mission in August, primarily deployments of commercial communications satellites. The company aims to resume flights from Cape Canaveral's Complex 40 launch pad by September after crews repair damage to the facility from a Falcon 9 rocket explosion in September.
Until then, all Falcon 9s launched from Florida will take off from pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, the starting point for the Apollo moon missions and most space shuttle flights.
Officials have not specified which Florida launch pad will host the Falcon 9's liftoff with the fifth X-37B flight, and SpaceX said last week that they have not determined which mission will be the next to depart from pad 40.
Wilson, who has been the top civilian in the Air Force for three weeks, told lawmakers Tuesday the hotly-competitive U.S. launch market is driving launch prices down, giving the military two certified contractors to ensure a backup provider is available if one launch vehicle runs into trouble.
The Pentagon instituted the "assured access to space" policy after a string of launch failures in the 1990s, and ULA's Atlas and Delta rocket fleets offered the military launch redundancy until SpaceX's Falcon 9 arrived on the market.
"We had a huge problem in the 1990s with access to space, and the country, at that time, made a significant investment in space capability, and the ability to launch, and it paid off and is showing results," Wilson said. "The benefit now is that we're seeing competition, and it's bringing the price down for access to space."

[свернуть]

Цитировать http://spacenews.com/spacex-will-launch-next-secret-x-37-air-force-mission/
Randy Walden, director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, said in a press release that "the ability to launch the Orbital Test Vehicle on multiple platforms will ensure a robust launch capability for our experiment designers. We are excited about this new partnership on creating flexible and responsive launch options and are confident in SpaceX's ability to provide safe and assured access to space for the X-37B program."
...
The Air Force said it intends to continue building "upon its fourth mission collaboration with experiment partners. The mission will carry the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Advanced Structurally Embedded Thermal Spreader (ASETS-11) to test experimental electronics and oscillating heat pipes in the long duration space environment."
...

Цитироватьhttps://spaceflightnow.com/2017/06/06/u-s-air-force-taps-spacex-to-launch-next-x-37b-spaceplane-mission/
...
Military officials did not identify Tuesday which spacecraft is slated for the fifth X-37B flight.
"We are very excited for the next fifth X-37B mission," said Randy Walden, the director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. "We look forward to continued expansion of the vehicle's performance and are excited to continue hosting experimental payloads for the space community."
The Air Force said in a statement Tuesday that the fifth X-37B flight will include several firsts.
"This mission will be the program's first launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 Upgrade launch vehicle," the Air Force said. "The program also continues to build upon its fourth mission collaboration with experiment partners."
The Air Force Research Laboratory will test experimental electronics and oscillating heat pipes on the X-37B's fifth long-duration spaceflight, military officials said.

Other objectives of the flight remain secret.

"The ability to launch the Orbital Test Vehicle on multiple platforms will ensure a robust launch capability for our experiment designers," Walden said in a statement. "We are excited about this new partnership on creating flexible and responsive launch options and are confident in SpaceX's ability to provide safe and assured access to space for the X-37B program."
...

Цитировать http://articles.sae.org/13819/
AFRL, ThermAvant collaborate on technologies to help electronics stay cool
08-Jan-2015 12:26 EST
A next-generation, micro-chip carrier for cooling is currently in development by Columbia, MO-based ThermAvant Technologies, LLC, and is already being tested by manufacturers of several major commercial and military satellite and aerospace systems, according to the company. This cooling solution will reduce the temperature of high-power satellite components to levels manageable by the spacecraft's thermal control system, which is beneficial because it improves processor reliability, while providing the opportunity to increase on-board processing,
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and ThermAvant began researching the application of this technology as a result of an Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) solicitation. The project called for reliable, high-conductivity heat spreaders; ThermAvant demonstrated the improved heat transfer properties of different structural materials (including aluminum, titanium, copper, and a copper molybdenum composite) embedded with oscillating heat pipe (OHP) technology. OHP-embedded chip carriers and heat spreaders will be used to transport heat dissipated by micro-chips to the spacecraft's larger thermal control systems.

Спойлер

This is a critical technology for space-based systems that will enable the deployment of higher temperature and power processors aboard satellite payloads. It can be used in both commercial and military satellite applications, as well as any high-performance land-based electronics. ThermAvant previously investigated the thermal performance tradeoffs of different fabrication processes for making OHP heat spreaders under a range of simulated real-world operating conditions. The company was co-founded by Dr. Bill Ma, a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Missouri.
During the testing, ThermAvant's prototype OHP-embedded heat spreaders provided an 84% reduction in the temperature rise across the heat spreader, when compared to current state-of-the-art technologies. This reduction in temperature provides many benefits, but the most important is the ability to increase the onboard computing power.
Current satellite processors are running at 10% of their operating capability as a result of insufficient thermal management. Reducing the junction temperature allows for increased processing capability (up to 10 times more) and increases the expected lifetime of the onboard chips. Additionally, the advanced manufacturing techniques developed under this effort will allow this higher-performing technology solution to be manufactured at a lower price point than competing technologies.
The company's improved methods for making OHP-based products has already demonstrated commercial promise to both space- and ground-based thermal management applications for electronics. During the first year of this Phase II SBIR, ThermAvant transitioned OHP-based thermal management solutions to four major defense contractors for six applications on platforms ranging from Army tanks to Navy ships and Air Force aircraft and spacecraft. In these applications the OHP-based thermal management solution performed 5% to 50% better than the status quo, and is on average approximately 20% less expensive.
The Air Force SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are mission-oriented programs that integrate the needs and requirements of the Air Force through research and development topics that have military and commercial potential. The SBIR and STTR programs provide more than $300 million in funding for R&D activities by small businesses annually, from the early stages of concept development until it transitions to military or commercial use.

[свернуть]

Цитироватьhttps://www.thermavant.com/news/example-styles
May 16, 2016
THERMAVANT TECHNOLOGIES SELECTED FOR AIR FORCE PHASE I SBIR

Passive-Solid State Power Amplifier Thermal Management

ThermAvant's proposal for Passive Solid-State Power Amplifier Thermal Management submitted under SBIR Topic Number AF161-086 has been selected for award by the Department of Defense and the Air Force Research Laboratory. The pending award aims to develop low-cost, low-mass thermal management solutions to address the high heat flux and temperature of next generation GaN power amplifiers or phased arrays. The proposed heat transfer technology will have use aboard DoD satellites and be equally applicable for use on commercial satellites, as well as many other terrestrial electronics.

ЦитироватьЧебурашка пишет:
Бгг... получится почти всё многоразовое... Осталось только научится вторую ступень спасать  :D

Цитироватьpnetmon пишет:
В шапке темы AFSPC-7: OTV-5 (X-37B 01 flight 3) - что это третий никто подтвердить не может, написано в статье https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/06/06/u-s-air-force-taps-spacex-to-launch-next-x-37b-spaceplane-mission/

Цитировать http://spacenews.com/spacex-will-launch-next-secret-x-37-air-force-mission/
...
There are actually two Boeing-built X-37 spacecraft. The Air Force has not indicated which X-37 craft will be launching aboard the SpaceX rocket. However, the fact that the service has been alternating missions between the two craft, and that the second X-37 was the one that landed in May, means that it's likely the first X-37 is due up for the next mission.
...

Цитироватьtass.ru (http://tass.ru/kosmos/4322920)  SpaceX совершит запуск орбитального самолета для ВВС США в августе


НЬЮ-ЙОРК, 8 июня. /Корр. ТАСС Кирилл Волков/. Компания SpaceX выиграла у ВВС США контракт на запуск американского орбитального многоразового беспилотного самолета-разведчика X-37B с помощью своей ракеты носителя Falcon 9.
Как сообщают местные профильные СМИ, полет аппарата состоится, как ожидается, в августе 2017 года, однако точная дата запуска пока неизвестна. Это будет уже пятый полет секретного самолета X-37B производства компании Boeing. Четвертый завершился в начале мая, когда аппарат после около двух лет пребывания в космосе совершил успешную посадку на космодроме на мысе Канаверал в американском штате Флорида.
До этого все запуски X-37B осуществляла компания United Launch Alliance с помощью своей ракеты-носителя Atlas V. Почему минобороны решило отдать контракт на очередной запуск SpaceX, неизвестно.
О цели предстоящего полета также известно немного ввиду секретности проекта. В ВВС США лишь заявили, что аппарат будет нести некий "экспериментальный груз" и оборудование, необходимое для проведения космических тестов.
Проект X-37 компания Boeing начинала под эгидой NASA еще в 1999 году. Первоначально предполагалось, что аппараты многоразового использования X-37 будут предназначаться для ремонта спутников на орбите. Однако в 2004 году программу засекретили и передали в ведение ВВС США.
Первый тестовый полет изначальной версии аппарата под названием X-37A был совершен в апреле 2006 года, после которого последовали еще два успешных испытания. Впоследствии в ВВС США заявили, что они будут продолжать совершенствовать аппарат. Новая модель получила название X-37B, ее орбитальные полеты начали проводиться с 2010 года.
По мнению экспертов, такие самолеты могут использоваться как для испытания новых технологий, так и для доставки в космос разведывательных спутников. Потенциально на них могут быть установлены вооружения, но Пентагон заверяет, что это в его планы не входит.

ЦитироватьNET Aug. 15 • Falcon 9 • OTV-5
Launch window: TBD
 Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the U.S. military's X-37B, a spaceplane also called the Orbital Test Vehicle, on the program's fifth mission. [June 9]

Цитироватьhttp://spacenews.com/tory-bruno-says-ula-didnt-get-to-compete-for-air-force-x-37b-launch-that-went-to-spacex/
Tory Bruno says ULA didn't get to compete for Air Force X-37B launch that went to SpaceX
by Phillip Swarts (http://spacenews.com/author/phillip-swarts/) — June 9, 2017

WASHINGTON — United Launch Alliance did not get the opportunity to compete for the next launch of the Air Force's X-37B space plane, according to company officials.
Tory Bruno, ULA's president and chief executive, tweeted June 9 in response to a question that his company didn't have the chance to bid on the launch contract.
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/155719.jpg)
The Air Force announced June 6 that SpaceX won the contract for the fifth launch of the service's secretive experimental spacecraft, and Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said in congressional testimony the same day that the launch is scheduled for August.
ULA has launched the previous four X-37B missions aboard Atlas 5 rockets.
A spokesperson for the Air Force declined to comment on the contract or the launch, saying that they could not provide details.
ULA confirmed Bruno's tweet in a statement to SpaceNews.
"ULA did not have the opportunity to bid for the Air Force's fifth X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) mission which was recently awarded," the emailed statement said. "ULA remains fully committed to continuing to support America's national security missions with world-class launch services."

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/31669.jpg) Marcia Smith‏ @SpcPlcyOnline (https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline) 15 ч назад (https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/877538416593960960)

SecAf Wilson just said SpaceX would "go up again on August 17" so presumably that's the exact date for the X-37B launch.

Цитироватьsilentpom пишет:
сажать же будут?

ЦитироватьApollo13 пишет:

Цитироватьsilentpom пишет:
сажать же будут?

Да на землю.

Цитироватьsilentpom пишет:
практически чистый шаттл блин. осталось только вторую ступень спасти

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67521.jpg) Stephen Clark‏ @StephenClark1 (https://twitter.com/StephenClark1) 17 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/StephenClark1/status/890285644353863681)

Updates to US launch schedule include new target dates for Falcon 9/CRS 12 (Aug. 14) and Atlas 5/TDRS M (Aug. 20). https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ ... (https://t.co/NrskL6V5dZ)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/165220.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185461.jpg) Caleigh MacPherson‏ @ScottishRobot (https://twitter.com/ScottishRobot) 21 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/ScottishRobot/status/898939938917552128)

It's the @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) fairing for X-37B!
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/166119.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 12 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/900801364284112896)

SpaceX Falcon 9 (OTV-5 (X-37B)) Static Fire at KSC 39A is NET September 1. #SpaceXSteamRoller (https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpaceXSteamRoller?src=hash)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/166509.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 24 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/900824953607651328)

I'm absolutely sure this isn't because of the responses below (heh), but SpaceX has just MOVED the Static Fire UP to August 31 NET! (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125470.png)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 17 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/900827836495405058)

So to recap: Next SpaceX launch is Falcon 9 with OTV-5 (X-37B spaceplane) on Sept. 7 - 39A. Static Fire test now AUGUST 31 (moved up a day).
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/166499.jpg)

Цитировать(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000149454500/c2e974df2f92ce57b2c8db329f5da805_bigger.png)Emre Kelly‏Verified account @EmreKelly (https://twitter.com/EmreKelly)  2h2 hours ago (https://twitter.com/EmreKelly/status/902912753500921857)

SpaceX targeting Thursday for Falcon 9 X-37B / #OTV5 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTV5?src=hash) static test fire at pad 39A. T-0 is 1200.

Цитировать08/31/2017 15:33 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/196244.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/197223930?url=https://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1406735)
SpaceX's next Falcon 9 rocket arrived at Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A on Thursday for a hold-down engine firing ahead of launch next week with the U.S. Air Force's X-37B spaceplane.

The two-stage rocket rolled out to pad 39A from SpaceX's hangar for a countdown rehearsal and static fire test, a customary step in all of the company's launch campaigns.

Спойлер

The rocket is currently horizontal at pad 39A. Ground crews will lift it vertical later today using a hydraulic erector.

The test window is expected to open at [COLOR=#FF11000]12 p.m. EDT[/COLOR] (1600 GMT) Thursday and extends through much of the afternoon. SpaceX does not publicize hotfire tests, so the first indication of an impending ignition will be when propellant vapors begin streaming away from the Falcon 9 launcher, a sign that that rocket is being fueled.

Once the test is complete, the Falcon 9 will be returned to its hangar for attachment of the X-37B spacecraft inside the rocket's payload fairing.

The winged spaceship is a robotic mini-space shuttle designed for secretive missions in low Earth orbit several hundred miles up.

Liftoff from pad 39A is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 7. The launch time has not been released.

The Air Force has two Boeing-built X-37B spacecraft that have made four flights to orbit and back. All four previous missions lifted off on United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rockets.

The mini-shuttles return to Earth for landings on runways.

[свернуть]

Цитировать08/31/2017 15:50 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/196244.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/197224116?url=https://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1406735)
The Falcon 9 launcher is now vertical at pad 39A in readiness for a static fire test this afternoon.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 3 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/903266256542937093)

Static Fire windows are long, allow teams flexibility for the T-0 target. Right now, Falcon 9 (OTV-5) is aiming for about 3-4 pm Eastern.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 51 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/903301308756746240)

Falcon 9 (OTV-5) Static Fire window is open, runs until 6 PM Eastern. T-0 is going to be sometime in the second half of the window.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29831.jpg) William Harwood‏ @cbs_spacenews (https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews) 7 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/903338025052143619)

F9/OTV: Venting is now visible at the pad, indicating fueling/final preps underway

Цитировать08/31/2017 22:59 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/196244.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/197228917?url=https://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1406735)
The first signs of venting have appeared near the Falcon 9 rocket at pad 39A, an indication that preparations are underway to fill the launcher with super-chilled kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants ahead of this afternoon's static fire test.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29831.jpg) William Harwood‏ @cbs_spacenews (https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews) 9 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/903348786818371584)

F9/OTV: Large venting event underway; based on past tests, engine firing expected in the next 20 minutes or so

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 1 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/903348669306503172)

Falcon 9 is alive.....standing by for the Static Fire. Webcast: http://original.livestream.com/newchannel/popoutplayer?channel=spaceflightnow ... (https://t.co/3DlBtn64t9)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/166699.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67530.jpg) Spaceflight Now‏ @SpaceflightNow (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow) 3 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/903349087923265536)

Standing by for a hold-down engine firing of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket in Florida. Ignition is minutes away. Watch: https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/08/31/falcon-9-x-37b-flight-preps/ ... (https://t.co/srVA6KVMFo)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/166700.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 31 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/903354318170071041)

STATIC FIRE! Falcon 9 (OTV-5) fires up - Wait for SpaceX tweet to confirm a good test via quick look data. Shot: http://original.livestream.com/newchannel/popoutplayer?channel=spaceflightnow ... (https://t.co/3DlBtn64t9)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/166691.jpg)

Цитировать08/31/2017 23:29 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/196244.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/197229261?url=https://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1406735)
A rush of exhaust just appeared from the base of the Falcon 9 rocket, indicating today's static fire test was complete. The Merlin engines were supposed to fire for several seconds.

We'll stand by for confirmation from SpaceX on a good static fire test.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29831.jpg) William Harwood‏ @cbs_spacenews (https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/903354391335280640)

F9/OTV: Engine ignition... and shutdown; 4:30pm EDT; test appeared to run full duration; no obvious issues

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29831.jpg) William Harwood‏ @cbs_spacenews (https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews) 1 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/903355760641499137)

F9/OTV: Standing by for an update from SpaceX
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/166692.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/69029.jpg) SpaceX‏Подлинная учетная запись @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) 43 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/903361678774898688)

Static fire test complete—targeting Falcon 9 launch of OTV-5 from Pad 39A at @NASAKennedy (https://twitter.com/NASAKennedy) on Thursday, September 7.

ЦитироватьFalcon 9 rocket fired up for launch of military mini-shuttle
August 31, 2017 (https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/08/) Stephen Clark (https://spaceflightnow.com/author/stephen-clark/)

Running through a practice countdown and hold-down engine firing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket passed a key checkpoint Thursday ahead of liftoff next week with the U.S. Air Force's fifth X-37B spaceplane flight, a mission that will come with several firsts.

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126758.png)
The Falcon 9 rocket fired its nine Merlin 1D engines at 4:30 p.m. EDT (2030 GMT). Credit: William Harwood/CBS News

Nine Merlin 1D engines at the base of the Falcon 9 rocket fired at 4:30 p.m. EDT (2030 GMT) for several seconds. Hold-down restraints kept the rocket grounded at pad 39A as the engines throttled up to 1.7 million pounds of thrust.

A plume of rocket exhaust appeared fr om the flame trench on the north side of the historic launch complex, the former site of Saturn 5 and space shuttle liftoffs. SpaceX tweeted to confirm the test was completed, and announced the flight is on track for launch next Thursday, Sept. 7.

Hotfire tests are customary milestone in all SpaceX launch campaigns. The launch team uses the practice countdown to rehearse procedures and wring out any problems in the rocket and ground systems.

The launch time Sept. 7 has not been released.

Ground crews will lower the Falcon 9 rocket and return it to SpaceX's hangar this weekend, wh ere technicians will connect the launcher with the Air Force's X-37B spaceplane, or Orbital Test Vehicle, cocooned inside the rocket's payload shroud.

The rocket will roll back to pad 39A next week for the final countdown.

The Air Force has not launched an X-37B spaceplane with SpaceX before. Four previous X-37B missions, using two different reusable vehicles, lifted off on United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rockets and landed on runways in California and Florida.

Military officials revealed new details Thursday about the upcoming X-37B flight, known as OTV-5. The Air Force said the mission carries multiple small piggyback satellites, but officials did not identify the payloads or disclose whether they will be deployed from the X-37B spaceplane or the Falcon 9 rocket itself.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126759.jpg)
An X-37B spaceplane seen after touchdown at NASA's Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida in May. Credit: U.S. Air Force

"The fifth OTV mission continues to advance the X-37B's performance and flexibility as a space technology demonstrator and host platform for experimental payloads," the Air Force said in a press release Thursday. "This mission carries small satellite ride shares and will demonstrate greater opportunities for rapid space access and on-orbit testing of emerging space technologies.

"Building upon the fourth mission and previous collaboration with experiment partners, this mission will host the Air Force Research Laboratory Advanced Structurally Embedded Thermal Spreader payload to test experimental electronics and oscillating heat pipe technologies in the long duration space environment," the statement said.

The rest of the flight plan remains secret.

Military officials announced in June the the fifth X-37B flight would launch with SpaceX, touting the robotic mini-shuttle's versatility in launching on different boosters.

"The ability to launch the Orbital Test Vehicle on multiple platforms will ensure a robust launch capability for our experiment designers," said Randy Walden, director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, said in a statement in June. "We are excited about this new partnership on creating flexible and responsive launch options and are confident in SpaceX's ability to provide safe and assured access to space for the X-37B program."

The X-37B will deploy a power-generating solar array and open the doors to its cargo bay once in orbit.

The Air Force has not said how long the OTV-5 mission will remain in space.

The four X-37B flights to date have logged 2,085 days in orbit, and the most recent mission ended in May with a touchdown at NASA's Shuttle Landing Facility runway in Florida after 718 days aloft.

Built by Boeing's Phantom Works division, each spaceship has a wingspan of nearly 15 feet (4.5 meters) and a length of more than 29 feet (8.9 meters). The X-37B weighs about 11,000 pounds (5 metric tons) and has typically orbited Earth at altitudes between 200 and 250 miles (320 to 400 kilometers).

The Air Force said Thursday that the OTV-5 mission will launch into a higher-inclination orbit than earlier X-37B flights. The four X-37B missions to date flew in orbits tilted between 38 and 43.5 degrees to the equator, but the next one will reach higher latitudes on each lap around Earth.

"The many firsts on this mission make the upcoming OTV launch a milestone for the program," Walden said. "It is our goal to continue advancing the X-37B OTV so it can more fully support the growing space community."

SpaceX plans to recover the Falcon 9 rocket's first stage at Landing Zone-1 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station a few minutes after liftoff next week. It will mark the seventh time a Falcon 9 first stage booster has attempted a return-to-launch-site maneuver for landing on the coast.

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьAir Force preparing to launch fifth Orbital Test Vehicle mission
By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published August 31, 2017

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office is undergoing final launch preparations for the fifth mission of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle. The OTV is scheduled to launch on Sept. 7, 2017, onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

Спойлер

The fifth OTV mission continues to advance the X-37B's performance and flexibility as a space technology demonstrator and host platform for experimental payloads. This mission carries small satellite ride shares and will demonstrate greater opportunities for rapid space access and on-orbit testing of emerging space technologies. Building upon the fourth mission and previous collaboration with experiment partners, this mission will host the Air Force Research Laboratory Advanced Structurally Embedded Thermal Spreader payload to test experimental electronics and oscillating heat pipe technologies in the long duration space environment.

This will be the program's first launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The fifth OTV mission will also be launched into, and landed from, a higher inclination orbit than prior missions to further expand the X-37B's orbital envelope.

"The many firsts on this mission make the upcoming OTV launch a milestone for the program," said Randy Walden, the director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. "It is our goal to continue advancing the X-37B OTV so it can more fully support the growing space community."

The X-37B program completed its fourth mission on May 7, 2017, landing after 718 days in orbit and extending the total number of days spent in orbit to 2,085.

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьSpaceX - Static Fire - Flashback - OTV-5 08-31-2017

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/220769.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5hWqb0u1eKgYmVryCEyJYA) USLaunchReport (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5hWqb0u1eKgYmVryCEyJYA)

Опубликовано: 31 авг. 2017 г.

ЦитироватьFalcon 9 Fires Up for Hold-Down Engine Test Ahead of X-37B OTV-5 Launch
 September 1, 2017 (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/falcon-9-completes-static-fire-for-otv-5/)

Keeping up the pace, SpaceX checked off the Static Fire Test for the company's 13th launch of the year, aiming for a September 7 liftoff fr om Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center with the U.S. Air Force X-37B space plane heading off on its fifth mission.

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154357.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/DCZYUMZUIAAd1lW3.jpg)
Photo: SpaceX (File Image)

Still missing its semi-classified payload, Falcon 9 fired up its nine first stage engines at 20:30 UTC on Thursday to gather performance data as part of a final end-to-end test of the integrated launch system prior to launch day – designed to uncover any issues and eliminate any surprises on launch day. Completing the hold-down fire test, Falcon 9 will return to its hangar at LC-39A to await the arrival of the X-37B that was readied for flight at Orbiter Processing Facility 1 which had been taken over by X-37B prime contractor Boeing after the Space Shuttle sailed into retirement.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154358.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/otv1b_boeing-photo.jpg)
Photo: Boeing (OTV-1)

The OTV-5 mission is the first flight of the X-37B to launch on a Falcon 9 rocket after the first four flights of the program lifted off on Atlas V rockets. X-37B made its debut in April 2010 on a shakedown mission lasting 224 days and ending with the first autonomous runway landing by an American orbital vehicle. The second flight of the X-37B already surpassed the 270-day design requirement for mission duration and lasted 468 days in 2011/12. The 674-day OTV-3 mission was the second flight of the first X-37B craft after undergoing refurbishment and OTV-4 marked the second deployment of the second production vehicle, launching in May 2015 and staying in orbit for 718 days, bringing the program's total to 2,085 days off the planet.

As with the previous X-37B flights, only very few details on the OTV-5 mission are being shared with the public and most of what resides in the vehicle's 2.1 by 1.2-meter payload bay will remain secret. According to the U.S. Air Force, the OTV-5 mission carries small satellite ride shares and one of the experiments facilitated in the payload bay is the Advanced Structurally Embedded Thermal Spreader II payload of the Air Force Research Laboratory that sets out to test experimental electronics and oscillating heat pipe technology over an extended period in a flight-like environment. Other experiments aboard the craft are space technology demonstrators and host platforms for experimental payloads.

>> X-37B Spacecraft Overview (http://spaceflight101.com/spacecraft/x-37b-otv/)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154355.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/C_OiRZCUAAApICh.jpg)
OTV-4 after Landing – Photo: U.S. Air Force

The Air Force also shared that the OTV-5 mission will be targeting a higher orbital inclination than its predecessors to "further expand the X-37B's orbital envelope." The previous four missions flew at inclinations between 38 and 43.5 degrees with widely varying altitudes including rather large orbital changes during individual missions.

No target orbit altitude for the OTV-5 mission will be published prior to launch and it will be up to the amateur satellite tracking community to spot the vehicle in its classified orbit and keep track of any orbital maneuvering over the course of the mission.

It was only announced in June that the X-37B OTV-5 mission would be flying on a SpaceX rocket when Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson revealed the previously unannounced launch contract during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. The primary reason behind the switch fr om the Atlas V is to have two proven launch vehicles for the X-37B to ensure the vehicle can fly whenever needed, even if one of its launch providers encountered trouble such as extended stand-downs in launch operations. The contract is also the result of an effort by the Air Force to grow the capabilities of the commercial space industry.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154354.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/C_OiRYFUMAAYquz.jpg)
Photo: U.S. Air Force

SpaceX received U.S. Air Force certification for U.S. National Security launches in 2015 and since then has won contracts for launches of next-generation Global Positioning System navigation satellites. The OTV-5 mission was not awarded under competitive bidding between United Launch Alliance and SpaceX, though future X-37B missions could be up to competition if SpaceX is able to fully demonstrate its capabilities on the OTV-5 mission via a safe & on-schedule launch processing campaign and an on-target orbital delivery.

This latest SpaceX launch campaign is coming right on the heels of the successful launch of the Taiwanese FormoSat-5 Earth Observation Satellite (http://spaceflight101.com/falcon-9-formosat-5/) out of California on August 24. FormoSat-5 was SpaceX's twelfth successful orbital delivery in 2017 that has already been a record-setting year for the company, finally achieving a steady launch cadence while also pushing on with first stage recoveries, the initial re-flights of boosters and continued efforts on fairing re-use.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154359.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/otv1c_boeing-photo.jpg)
Photo: Boeing/Astrotech (OTV-1)

The X-37B OTV-5 launch will be handled by a brand new Falcon 9 Block 4 launch vehicle, initially powered by booster B1040 that will be aiming for a powered return to Cape Canaveral while the rocket's second stage executes the orbital injection with orbital parameters being kept under wraps as is standard procedure for the semi-secret flights of the X-37B.

The two-stage Falcon 9 tasked with the OTV-5 mission was rolled up the ramp to Launch Complex 39A in the morning hours on Thursday and went vertical for a Static Fire during a lengthy six-hour test window opening at noon local time. As is typical, schedules were adjusted as work progressed throughout the day and SpaceX opted to move the T-0 time into the second half of the long test window to accommodate open work at the pad.

>> Falcon 9 FT Launch Vehicle (http://spaceflight101.com/spacerockets/falcon-9-ft/)

Falcon 9 headed into tanking as the automatic countdown sequence kicked in at T-1 hour to pump over 500 metric tons of sub-cooled Liquid Oxygen and chilled Rocket Propellant 1 into the rocket's tanks. As part of the Static Fire Test, both stages of Falcon 9 go through a full tanking cycle as a complete exercise of the rocket and ground support systems. Ignition of the nine Merlin 1D engines occurred at 4:30 p.m. local time and the firing appeared to achieve the planned 3.5-second duration to allow all engines to build up thrust and reach operational conditions.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154352.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/6938477_orig.jpg)
Image: Boeing Phantom Works

The Launch Team verified all required performance parameters were captured before moving the vehicle into de-tanking to eventually return to the hangar wh ere it will meet its payload. KSC schedules showed the X-37B payload transport would occur in the overnight hours to Friday, giving teams plenty of margin in the launch flow.

Liftoff is targeting the morning of September 7 (local time) with no exact launch time announced yet by the U.S. Air Force or SpaceX. Lifting the ~5,000-Kilogram X-37B into Low Earth Orbit creates a fairly straightforward mission for the Falcon 9 – comprising a first stage burn of around two and a half minutes followed by over six minutes on the MVac-powered second stage that will directly inject the stack into orbit. Per the semi-secret nature of the mission, coverage of the rocket's climb to orbit will end at the point of Payload Fairing Separation.

The B1040 first stage will be aiming for a propulsive return to the Space Coast via a three-burn return profile starting with a full boost back maneuver to reverse course and aim for the LZ-1 landing pad. A burn at re-entry will slow the stage to reduce wear and tear due to heating and aerodynamic forces and a final landing burn of the booster's center engine will aim to set it down on four fold-out landing legs.

A successful landing of the first stage at the Cape's Landing Zone-1 would give SpaceX a streak of twelve successful recoveries in a row – the latest of which is currently in full swing at the Port of Los Angeles wh ere the FormoSat-5 booster arrived earlier this week standing atop the Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship.

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьВВС США объявили о дате очередного запуска орбитального ... (https://www.gazeta.ru/army/2017/09/02/10870784.shtml)
Газета.Ru
Самый секретный воздушно-космический аппарат военно-воздушных сил США X-37B совершит свой первый запуск на ракете-носителе Falcon 9 ...

ЦитироватьКосмического Перл-Харбора не будетВВС США объявили о дате очередного запуска орбитального самолета X-37B
Михаил Ходаренок (https://www.gazeta.ru/gazeta/authors/mihail_hodarenok.shtml) 02.09.2017, 12:20
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/141793.jpg)
 NASA Экспериментальный беспилотный орбитальный самолёт Boeing X-37B 

Самый секретный воздушно-космический аппарат военно-воздушных сил США X-37B совершит свой первый запуск на ракете-носителе Falcon 9 компании SpaceX Илона Маска 7 сентября, заявил высокопоставленный представитель ВВС США. С целями и деталями предстоящего полета разбирался военный обозреватель «Газеты.Ru» Михаил Ходаренок.
Если позволят погодные условия, то созданный корпорацией «Boeing» орбитальный самолет X-37B будет в очередной раз (уже пятый по счету) запущен с Космического центра имени Джона Кеннеди (штат Флорида) 7 сентября. Об этом объявила министр ВВС США Хизер Энн Уилсон, которая в то же время отказалась комментировать цели и задачи, которые Х-37В выполнит в ходе предстоящего полета. «Это — одна из наших экспериментальных платформ», — всего-навсего сказала она во время эксклюзивного интервью изданию «Defense News» 31 августа.
По некоторым данным, исследовательская лаборатория военно-воздушных сил США в ходе предстоящего длительного космического полета Х-37В намерена проводить испытания экспериментальной электроники и различных вариантов теплозащиты. Для этого космический аппарат снабжен оборудованием, получившим название ASETS-11 (Advanced Structurally Embedded Thermal Spreader).
«В ходе этой миссии многие задачи мы попытаемся решить впервые и начнем очередные этапы испытаний», — сообщил Рэнди Уолден, директор департамента (подразделения быстрого реагирования) ВВС США, который управляет программой X-37B.
«Наша цель — продолжить совершенствование орбитальной летающей лаборатории X-37B таким образом, чтобы она могла более полно поддержать растущую орбитальную группировку США», — подчеркнул Рэнди Уолден.
 В четверг на прошлой неделе издание «Spaceflight Now» сообщило, что SpaceX уже выкатил свою ракету Falcon 9 на стартовый стол № 39 Космического центра Кеннеди для статических испытаний. Таким образом, запуск X-37B дело практически решенное и процесс уже вышел на финишную прямую.
X-37B завершил свой четвертый полет 7 мая и в общей сложности (с учетом трех предыдущих запусков) провел на орбите 2 085 суток. В последнем 718-дневном полете орбитальный самолет провел на орбите многочисленные эксперименты, суть которых так и не была обнародована военно-воздушными силами США.
Экспериментальный орбитальный самолет Х-37В предназначен для функционирования на высотах от 200-750 км. Он способен быстро менять высоты орбиты и энергично маневрировать в околоземном космическом пространстве. Аппарат, по мнению некоторых экспертов, обладает возможностями по ведению разведки и может доставлять в космос незначительные по весу грузы.

Спойлер

Ракета-носитель Falcon 9, с помощью которой предполагается запустить Х-37В 7 сентября, является представителем семейства одноразовых и частично многоразовых ракет-носителей тяжелого класса серии Falcon американской компании SpaceX Илона Маска. Falcon 9 состоит из двух ступеней и использует в качестве компонентов ракетного топлива керосин и жидкий кислород. Цифра «9» в названии обозначает количество жидкостных ракетных двигателей Merlin, установленных на первой ступени ракеты-носителя.
Цели и задачи, для которых создан орбитальный самолет Х-37В, на данном этапе военно-воздушными силами США не разглашаются.
Наиболее правдоподобным предназначением этого аппарата представляется проверка перспективных технологий для будущего космического истребителя-перехватчика, способного поражать космические аппараты вероятного противника.

Скорее всего, в недалеком будущем Х-37В (или его дальнейшие модернизации) будет оснащен управляемым и неуправляемым оружием. В частности, на орбитальном самолете может быть установлена малокалиберная скорострельная пушка, которая в условия космоса будет способна осуществлять поражение космических аппаратов вероятного противника на больших дальностях.
Подобное предназначение орбитального самолета полностью соответствует документу «Национальная космическая политика США» 2006 года, провозглашающему право США частично распространить национальный суверенитет на космическое пространство.
Американские аналитики единодушны в одном: уже сегодня Соединенные Штаты в достаточно сильной степени зависят от космоса. Более того, темпы этой зависимости возрастают год от года, что создает условия для уязвимости США через околоземное пространство. 80% глобального космического бюджета в настоящее время приходится на США, и постоянно увеличивающаяся зависимость Америки от космоса делает околоземное пространство привлекательной целью для тех, кто хотел бы посягнуть на ее национальные интересы. Поэтому в США сегодня всерьез рассматриваются различные варианты противостояния возможной агрессии в космосе.
К примеру, только вывод из строя или разрушение системы глобального позиционирования GPS может повлиять не только на ход и исход вооруженной борьбы.
В результате нарушения цифровых коммуникаций воцарится полный хаос на целых континентах: произойдет отключение сотовых телефонов, перестанут работать системы распределения энергии, прекратит функционирование большая часть глобальной финансовой сети, включая банковские и торговые автоматы.
 
Масштабное и эффективное нападение на инфраструктуру GPS, отмечают эксперты США, также подвергнет опасности морскую торговлю и гражданскую авиацию, которые используют GPS для навигации. Иными словами, одно только прекращение функционирования GPS для постиндустриального мира означает катастрофу. А есть еще спутники связи, космические аппараты прогнозирования погоды, предупреждения о ракетном нападении. Вывод из строя этой части орбитальной группировки может также иметь фатальные последствия.
В настоящее время «космические активы» Соединенных Штатов практически не защищены и представляют собой весьма выгодную цель для гипотетического неприятеля. В современных условиях вполне возможен «второй Перл-Харбор» в околоземном пространстве.
В американском экспертном сообществе убеждены, что вооруженные силы США должны сконцентрироваться на развитии механизмов и способов защиты от любого посягательства потенциальных противников Вашингтона на национальные космические системы. В этой связи необходимо совершенствование спутниковых систем предупреждения о возможном применении лазерного, кинетического, пучкового оружия, вооружений, использующих направленную энергию, а также укрепление электронной безопасности коммерческих спутников.
Согласно выводам Комиссии по национальной безопасности Соединенных Штатов в сфере космического управления и организации, сделанным еще в середине 2000-х годов, «США более зависят от космоса, чем любая другая нация».
Поэтому милитаризация космоса со стороны США просто неизбежна. На смену экспериментальному орбитальному самолету Х-37В в недалеком будущем придет целая флотилия космических перехватчиков, способная эффективно защитить орбитальную группировку Соединенных Штатов от вредоносного воздействия со стороны врагов Америки, поразить истребители спутников вероятного противника и в короткие сроки вывести из строя все потенциально опасные космические аппараты неприятелей. Соединенные Штаты должны доминировать в околоземном космическом пространстве, уверены американские аналитики.
Не приходится сомневаться, что такая задача перед оборонно-промышленным комплексом США поставлена уже давно, и флот орбитальных перехватчиков будет создан в самое ближайшее время. И очередной полет Х-37В, нет сомнений, будет способствовать поиску эффективных путей решения подобных проблем.

[свернуть]

Цитировать80% глобального космического бюджета в настоящее время приходится на США

ЦитироватьДимитър пишет:

Цитировать80% глобального космического бюджета в настоящее время приходится на США

Стоит задуматься...

ЦитироватьИскандер пишет:

ЦитироватьДимитър пишет:

Цитировать80% глобального космического бюджета в настоящее время приходится на США

Стоит задуматься...

А на Марс до сих пор не слетали

Цитировать
(https://scontent-frx5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/c0.0.80.80/p80x80/10325787_543961565782089_6018070077125505840_n.jpg?oh=efcdbf0e51ef2e8e442b79b6cc5fa763&oe=5A12B3D2) (https://www.facebook.com/USLaunchReport/?ref=nf&hc_ref=ARS1Dv4lhlCnBLxMn8Bxv_EkhoXKP_j1VyKAsL_5_cqYFAaMt-RaN-m53e_qXMXdmI4) USLaunchReport (https://www.facebook.com/USLaunchReport/?hc_ref=ARR2Yn2L1GLJ5SkjV7HanOozjXkKpBLUsK4jhaOwlwANMSsZiI5KOjE5HoZddiDROUk) поделился(-ась) мероприятием (https://www.facebook.com/events/1910701192517734/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A3%2C%22source_newsfeed_story_type%22%3A%22regular%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22%5B%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22%3A%5C%22newsfeed%5C%22%2C%5C%22mechanism%5C%22%3A%5C%22feed_story%5C%22%2C%5C%22extra_data%5C%22%3A%5B%5D%7D%5D%22%2C%22has_source%22%3Atrue%7D&source=3&source_newsfeed_story_type=regular&action_history=%5B%7B%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22feed_story%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A%5B%5D%7D%5D&has_source=1&hc_ref=ARR2Yn2L1GLJ5SkjV7HanOozjXkKpBLUsK4jhaOwlwANMSsZiI5KOjE5HoZddiDROUk) Air Force Space Command (https://www.facebook.com/AirForceSpaceCommand/?hc_ref=ARR2Yn2L1GLJ5SkjV7HanOozjXkKpBLUsK4jhaOwlwANMSsZiI5KOjE5HoZddiDROUk).
1 сентября в 15:07 (https://www.facebook.com/USLaunchReport/posts/822057761305800) ·

Thursday 12PM. X37B launch. 10 minutes later Falcon 9 first stage lands at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Without the support of the 45th Space Wing, there would not be Falcon 9 landings on earth.
(https://scontent-frx5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/c0.131.1499.790/s720x720/21199724_10155761548992074_5181102475316510601_o.jpg?oh=828f412ff173e487fcc88afeafa3bdd4&oe=5A154F82)

СЕН 7

X-37 Launch (https://www.facebook.com/events/1910701192517734/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%223%22%2C%22ref_newsfeed_story_type%22%3A%22regular%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D)

Чт 12:00 EDT · Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cape-Canaveral-Air-Force-Station/111778178839096) · Соединённые Штаты Америки, Florida, Cape Canaveral

Цитироватьtnt22 пишет:
Without the support of the 45th Space Wing, there would not be Falcon 9 landings on earth.

Цитировать (https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000149454500/c2e974df2f92ce57b2c8db329f5da805_bigger.png) Emre Kelly‏Подлинная учетная запись @EmreKelly (https://twitter.com/EmreKelly) 4 ч назад (https://twitter.com/EmreKelly/status/905152467977072641)

No official word yet, but FAA notice indicates Eastern Range airspace will close between 0920 and 1455 for #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) OTV-5 launch. #X37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/X37B?src=hash)

ЦитироватьTop Secret X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Launch Preparation

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/220631.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxdCaUl8lNrY6ihnYS6Br5Q) Military Material (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxdCaUl8lNrY6ihnYS6Br5Q)

Опубликовано: 5 сент. 2017 г.

The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-5) is being staged in preparation for its upcoming launch on September 7, 2017.

ЦитироватьGo Searcher returned (https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-80.619/centery:28.414/zoom:18) to port!
Either abandoning fairing recovery due to Hurricane Irma or the launch will be postponed?!

ЦитироватьThey're betting on it being postponed till after the hurricane, I think. Bringing the fairing recovery ship back in seems to be a first warning sign.

ЦитироватьF2672/17 (Issued for YMMM YBBB) - ROCKET LAUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE
FLW RECEIVED FROM GOVERNMENT OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED SURFACE TO UNLIMITED FOR
ATMOSPHERIC RE-ENTRY AND SPLASHDOWN OF LAUNCH VEHICLE OP(HASH)X4542
FALCON9F-42(OTV-5) AND PARTICIPATING SUPPORT AIRCRAFT WITHIN THE
FOLLOWING AREAS:
S51 00 E77 10
S44 44 E160 09
S58 59 E161 33
S65 20 E78 27 TO BEGINNING. PRI RE-ENTRY 20170907 1754-2226 BACKUP RE-ENTRY
20170908 1754-2226, 07 SEP 17:54 2017 UNTIL 08 SEP 22:26 2017. CREATED: 05 SEP
22:50 2017

ЦитироватьPATRICK AFB, CCAFS, JDMTA IN HURRICANE CONDITION V
By 45th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published September 05, 2017

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --
The 45th Space Wing has entered Hurricane Condition V (HURCON V) and is currently taking actions to secure property in the event Hurricane Irma nears Space Coast facilities.  HURCON V normally indicates surface winds in excess of 58 mph (50 knots) could arrive within 96 hours; however, so that we can begin preparatory actions while still supporting a launch operation on Thursday we have declared HURCON 5 early.

Спойлер

Base personnel and base residents should begin preparing for the possible arrival of the storm. The 45th Space Wing commander is working closely with Florida and Brevard County officials and will post updates as the situation unfolds. The wing and our mission partners are closely monitoring this storm and will direct actions as appropriate.

During HURCON V, 45th Space Wing will begin precautionary preparations to secure property and any launch infrastructure that may be exposed to storm conditions. All hurricane response teams are now on telephone standby and teams will soon begin to store outdoor items that could become projectiles in a storm.

Information can also be found at the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., Facebook page and twitter page (45th Space Wing) and www.patrick.af.mil for further information and updates, including return to base and duty notifications. Base personnel should continue to update and/or monitor their contact and location information status via the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System (AFPAAS) at https://afpaas.af.mil every four hours for updates.

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьAs hurricane approaches, SpaceX poised to launch Air Force's X-37B spaceplane
by Mike Fabey (http://spacenews.com/author/mike-fabey/) and Brian Berger (http://spacenews.com/author/brian-berger/) — September 6, 2017

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/155714.jpg)
The X-37B on the Shuttle Landing Facility runway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after a May 7 landing that ended a 718-day mission. Credit: U.S. Air Force

WASHINGTON — As Florida braces for a hurricane expected to make landfall this weekend, the U.S. Air Force and SpaceX still hope to launch the X-37B reusable spaceplane before the storm hits.

Спойлер

However, officials in Cape Canaveral, Florida, are forecasting only a 50 percent chance of acceptable weather for Thursday's launch, which is expected to occur sometime between 9:00 a.m. and 3 p.m. Eastern.

Friday's forecast is worse, with only a 40 percent chance of acceptable weather.

But with Hurricane Irma expected to reach central Florida on Sunday, it looks like Thursday and Friday offer X-37B's best chance to lift off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A before the storm passes.

Officials at neighboring Patrick Air Force Base said Tuesday that the 45th Space Wing had begun their hurricane preparations sooner than usual (http://www.patrick.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1299902/patrick-afb-ccafs-jdmta-in-hurricane-condition-v/) so that they can still support Thursday's launch attempt.

The X-37B mission is the second national security launch for SpaceX since the Air Force certified the Falcon 9 in 2015 to compete for Defense Department business. In May, SpaceX launched a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, NROL-76.

That launch followed back-to-back wins of the first two GPS 3 launch contracts the Air Force put out for bid. A third competition, for the mid-2018 launch of the multi-spacecraft Space Test Program-3 mission, went to United Launch Alliance in June. That launch, which will employ ULA's most-powerful variant of its Atlas 5 rocket, would have required SpaceX to have used its Falcon Heavy, which is still months from its debut.

The Boeing-built X-37B has been launched into orbit four times since 2010, accumulating a total of 2,085 days in space. All four missions have been launched atop Atlas 5s.

Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson disclosed during an early June congressional hearing (http://spacenews.com/spacex-will-launch-next-secret-x-37-air-force-mission/) that SpaceX, not ULA, would be launching X-37B this time around. She suggested that price was a factor in the Air Force's decision to go with Falcon 9. "The benefit we're seeing now is competition," she said. "There are some very exciting things happening in commercial space that bring the opportunity for assured access to space at a very competitive price."

Randy Walden, director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, however, emphasized flexibility over cost savings.

"[T]he ability to launch the [X-37B] on multiple platforms will ensure a robust launch capability for our experiment designers," Walden said in June. "We are excited about this new partnership on creating flexible and responsive launch options and are confident in SpaceX's ability to provide safe and assured access to space for the X-37B program."

The Air Force says X-37B will be launched into a higher inclination orbit than prior missions, further expanding the space plane's orbital envelope. In addition to testing the vehicle's flexibility and performance, the mission will also carry aloft an undisclosed number of experimental payloads.

"The many firsts on this mission make the upcoming [X-37B] launch a milestone for the program," Walden said in a press release.

One of the technologies being hosted for the fifth mission is the Air Force Research Laboratory's Advanced Structurally Embedded Thermal Spreader (ASETS-II) payload to test experimental electronics and oscillating heat pipe technologies over long duration in the space environment.

The oscillating heat pipe features a simple, wickless design, the Air Force says, which could provide a low-cost solution to help overcome electronics thermal constraints often associated with increased power and bandwidth needs for space commercial and military users.

The tests will measure the pipe's microgravity performance, startup characteristics, and long-term performance

"It is our goal to continue advancing the X-37B [Orbital Test Vehicle] so it can more fully support the growing space community," Walden said.

This fifth mission has a tough act to follow. X-37B's fourth mission set an endurance record, racking up 718 days in orbit before landing in early May at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

X-37B began as a NASA program in 1999, but transferred to Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in 2004.  DARPA transferred it to the Air Force in 2006.  Total program costs and budget line are classified.

[свернуть]

Цитировать (https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000149454500/c2e974df2f92ce57b2c8db329f5da805_bigger.png) Emre Kelly‏Подлинная учетная запись @EmreKelly (https://twitter.com/EmreKelly) 8 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/EmreKelly/status/905465370298986497)

SpaceX issues #OTV5 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTV5?src=hash) / #X37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/X37B?src=hash) sonic boom advisory ahead of Thursday's #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) launch from KSC. Weather still 50/50.
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167069.jpg)

ЦитироватьЗловредный пишет:
Я так понимаю, этот запуск в реальном времени транслировать не собираются?

ЦитироватьPhotos: Military mini-shuttle transferred to SpaceX launch pad
September 6, 2017 (https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/09/) Stephen Clark (https://spaceflightnow.com/author/stephen-clark/)

https://static.dvidshub.net/media/video/1709/DOD_104802546/DOD_104802546-1024x576-1769k.mp4 (https://static.dvidshub.net/media/video/1709/DOD_104802546/DOD_104802546-1024x576-1769k.mp4)
(https://static.dvidshub.net/media/video/1709/DOD_104802546/DOD_104802546-1024x576-1769k.mp4)
View on dvidshub.net (https://www.dvidshub.net/video/548184/otv-5-transport-b-roll)

Cocooned inside the nose cone of its Falcon 9 rocket booster, the U.S. Air Force's X-37B spaceplane journeyed fr om a former space shuttle hangar at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, past the Vehicle Assembly Building and toward launch pad 39A last week ahead of liftoff Thursday.

Спойлер

The miniature space shuttle, designed for robotic operations without a crew, will blast off Thursday on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The primary launch window opens at 9:50 a.m. EDT (1350 GMT) and extends until 2:55 p.m. EDT (1855 GMT), according to SpaceX.

The exact launch time is still a secret and is expected to be revealed later today or early Thursday. The upcoming launch will be the fifth flight by one of the Air Force's two X-37B spaceplanes, and the target launch time on the last X-37B flight in May 2015 was not revealed until several hours before liftoff.
All four previous X-37B missions flew into orbit on United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rockets. The Air Force has not disclosed which of its two Boeing-built mini-shuttles will launch Thursday.

The photos below show the X-37B emerging from its hangar at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, a repurposed processing facility that used to house the agency's space shuttle orbiters between missions. The ship was already encapsulated inside the Falcon 9's payload shroud as it rolled by the Vehicle Assembly Building and down the three-mile road to pad 39A, wh ere it entered SpaceX's hangar for attachment to the Falcon 9 rocket.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126782.jpg)
Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Timothy Kirchner

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126783.jpg)
Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Timothy Kirchner

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126784.jpg)
Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Timothy Kirchner

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126785.jpg)
Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Timothy Kirchner

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126786.jpg)
Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Timothy Kirchner

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126787.jpg)
Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Timothy Kirchner

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126788.jpg)
Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Timothy Kirchner

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126789.jpg)
Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Timothy Kirchner

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126791.jpg)
Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Timothy Kirchner

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126790.jpg)
Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Timothy Kirchner

[свернуть]

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/29262.jpg) Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust (https://twitter.com/jeff_foust) 17 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/905538282410401793)

Lots and lots of uncertainty in the forecast, but the latest from Nat'l Hurricane Ctr is not good for Florida's east coast, incl. Cape/KSC.
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167107.jpg)

ЦитироватьKZMA

A1015/17 - STNR ALT RESERVATION CAPE ATC ASSIGNED AIRSPACE ACT FOR
A ROCKET LAUNCH. MIAMI CENTER WILL NOT APPROVE IFR FLTS AND
VFR SHOULD EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WI AN AREA DEFINED AS
2847N08050W TO 2847N08021W TO 2847N07950W TO 2825N07950W TO
2825N08030W TO 2825N08041W TO 2831N08044W TO 2838N08047W TO
POINT OF ORIGIN. THIS ALT RESERVATION ENCOMPASSES PORTIONS
OF R2933, R2934, AND W497A. SFC - FL180), 07 SEP 11:50 2017 UNTIL 07 SEP 18:55
2017. CREATED: 05 SEP 19:30 2017
 

ЦитироватьA1013/17 (Issued for KZMA PART 2 OF 5) - OR WI AFFECTED WARNING AREA.
EFF: 1709071150-1709071855 W497A WEST OF 80 WEST, SFC-5000FT MSL
EFF: 1709071150-1709071855 CAPE ATCAA, SFC-FL180
EFF: 1709071320-1709071855 R2933, 5000FT MSL-UNL
EFF: 1709071320-1709071855 R2934, SFC-UNL
EFF: 1709071350-1709071855 LAUNCH HAZARD AREA A WI AN AREA DEFINED
AS 2826N08037W TO 2850N08043W TO 3020N07842W TO 2909N07801W TO
2820N08012W TO POINT OF ORIGIN, SFC-UNL. LAUNCH HAZARD AREA B WI AN
AREA DEFINED AS 3020N07842W TO 3151N07617W TO 3043N07539W TO
2909N07801W TO POINT OF ORIGIN. SFC-UNL. THESE AREAS ENCOMPASSE
R2932, R2933, R2934, AND PORTIONS OF W497A/B, W137F/G, W138E,
W139E/F, W140C/D/E/F AND W141.
END PART 2 OF 5. SEE TEXT, 07 SEP 11:50 2017 UNTIL 07 SEP 18:55 2017. CREATED:
05 SEP 18:41 2017
 

ЦитироватьA1445/17 (Issued for KZJX PART 2 OF 5) - OR WI AFFECTED WARNING AREA .
EFF: 1709071150-1709071855 W497A WEST OF 80 WEST, SFC-5000FT MSL
EFF: 1709071150-1709071855 CAPE ATCAA, SFC-FL180
EFF: 1709071320-1709071855 R2933, 5000FT MSL-UNL
EFF: 1709071320-1709071855 R2934, SFC-UNL
EFF: 1709071350-1709071855 LAUNCH HAZARD AREA A WI AN AREA DEFINED
AS 2826N08037W TO 2850N08043W TO 3020N07842W TO 2909N07801W TO
2820N08012W TO POINT OF ORIGIN, SFC-UNL. LAUNCH HAZARD AREA B WI AN
AREA DEFINED AS 3020N07842W TO 3151N07617W TO 3043N07539W TO
2909N07801W TO POINT OF ORIGIN. SFC-UNL. THESE AREAS ENCOMPASSE
R2932, R2933, R2934, AND PORTIONS OF W497A/B, W137F/G, W138E,
W139E/F, W140C/D/E/F AND W141.
END PART 2 OF 5. SEE TEXT, 07 SEP 11:50 2017 UNTIL 07 SEP 18:55 2017. CREATED:
05 SEP 19:05 2017
 

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186095.jpg) Robin Seemangal‏Подлинная учетная запись @nova_road (https://twitter.com/nova_road) 45 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/nova_road/status/905550802797948928)

Visiting #SpaceX (https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpaceX?src=hash)'s Falcon 9 that will launch the classified Air Force X-37B space plane tomorrow. Window is 9:50 to 14:55 ET. LZ-1 landing.
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167111.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/905546737066156032)

SpaceX Falcon 9 OTV-5 (X-37B) Press Kit (Launch window opens 09:50 EDT, closes 14:55 EDT (13:50 - 18:55 GMT): http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43585.msg1720194#msg1720194 ... (https://t.co/jwVlViVNeo)

Цитировать(https://scontent-frt3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p80x80/14938366_10157541301760012_6798878251615293226_n.jpg?oh=74e46c36e82ff18806e1fb4983c6051c&oe=5A5ED47F) (https://www.facebook.com/45thSpaceWing/?ref=nf&hc_ref=ARTctwJ83aFrfZB3_DwMFUolPviVN3ilOclb4XnJkvol3y7gdazJWga8KYi0Cwm-t8E) 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. (https://www.facebook.com/45thSpaceWing/?hc_ref=ARQlRwwkk_eVrO8cFB6K4XWUQ-gdB1z5NRXDBAc-DknqDyVx9_ObcXjrQX73dEKo9ZU) сейчас здесь: Patrick Air Force Base (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Patrick-Air-Force-Base/1172782629413458?hc_ref=ARQlRwwkk_eVrO8cFB6K4XWUQ-gdB1z5NRXDBAc-DknqDyVx9_ObcXjrQX73dEKo9ZU).
5 ч (https://www.facebook.com/45thSpaceWing/photos/a.10151080153260012.774286.482808580011/10159110881350012/?type=3) · Соединённые Штаты Америки, Florida, Мелборн (https://www.facebook.com/pages/%D0%9C%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BD-%D0%A4%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B0/106149149416964) ·

Team Patrick, Cape & JDMTA

I wanted to take a minute to update everyone on the steps we are taking to prepare for Hurricane Irma. Late yesterday I initiated HURCON 5 for our installations. earlier than required according to the "book answer" but I wanted stay ahead of this storm. This morning I also stood up our Crisis Action Team, bringing together our wing command team and our mission partners so we could review our plans for the storm and the preparation steps we've taken thus far. And don't forget, even while we're preparing for the coming storm we still have a Falcon 9 to launch tomorrow carrying the X-37B. If for any reason we cannot launch tomorrow we will reevaluate whether or not we can still support another attempt on Friday.

Спойлер

Speaking of Friday, I have decided to cancel this year's Air Force Ball. I cannot in good conscience host this event while Florida is in a state of emergency. My primary focus here is safety and mission success, which is why I believe we all need to prioritize our focus over the next several days and removing events like this off of our schedules helps us meet that goal. By now you should be developing and initiating your own personal hurricane preparedness plan. We plan to accelerate how we move through our HURCON timelines in order to put everyone in a better position to take care of their families as we head into the weekend.

The goal with any plan is good communication and knowing where to get credible information. Part of your hurricane plan needs to be how you plan to communicate with members of your work center and where to go to get credible information. Like last year, I plan to use social media as our primary platform for communication. Following us on Facebook and Twitter will give you the opportunity to hear it from me first and you'll also have direct access to updates on sites like www.patrick.af.mil. (https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.patrick.af.mil%2F&h=ATOgdbcZoW3YbcDPxF2OzlCdzviJalvDuV4LF1Qv8KSetsjcQ8l8JXJ1CrE03Wv29VKtKR170FfXUA5hApSQ0wKJTpIaxem-Krgmoh8IWCQip9qalZK-aNjIobxC0Erwgh4WVZF1fM9BLW4VxUiOqLRNo7JyIp2BTAdQ2MiTUsIOeIn5_yakDHPEsUd2AZV-ElpH9LGHF3s5nhyCnt5xxXG2xdJtIqA0yc1Ty_AK4vrfzeECfZrtb7bBHRHfei3mR_gSC7z1RwLko4KdFkiqtBsUUq0) For the best weather and local emergency updates check out the 45th Weather Squadron page, the National Hurricane Center or the Brevard County Emergency Management site too.

My final thought is to again remind everyone to please stay focused and I assure you we will all get through this together. Watching this unfold on TV can become overwhelming right now and I understand that, which is why I cannot stress enough the need to be patient, thorough and cautious as we work through the next couple of days. Everyone contributes so please help each other out.

Stay safe and communicate.

VR

Shark1
Wayne R. Monteith, Brig Gen, USAF
Commander, 45th Space Wing


(https://scontent-frt3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/21371373_10159110881350012_4302607321698663001_n.jpg?oh=5c6dd070f0b29c969ddd74fb13ffb718&oe=5A5FF590) (https://www.facebook.com/45thSpaceWing/photos/a.10151080153260012.774286.482808580011/10159110881350012/?type=3)

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Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 34 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/905595024905297920)

FEATURE ARTICLE: SpaceX to conduct first X-37B launch with a Falcon 9 - https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/09/spacex-first-x-37b-launch-falcon-9/ ... (https://t.co/NjQVzmB0HX) - by William Graham
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167121.jpg)

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(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167123.jpg)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167120.jpg)

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Цитировать

SpaceX to conduct first X-37B launch with a Falcon 9 (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/09/spacex-first-x-37b-launch-falcon-9/)

ЦитироватьSEPTEMBER 06, 2017

OTV-5 Mission Press Kit

SpaceX is targeting launch of OTV-5 from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The primary launch window opens on Thursday, September 7 at 9:50 a.m. EDT or 13:50 UTC, and closes at 2:55 p.m. EDT or 18:55 UTC. A backup launch window is available on Friday, September 8.

Following stage separation, Falcon 9's first stage will attempt to land at SpaceX's Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. You can find more information about the mission in our press kit. (http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/otv5_presskit.pdf)

ЦитироватьSpaceX readies rocket to launch military spaceplane into orbit
September 6, 2017 (https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/09/) Stephen Clark (https://spaceflightnow.com/author/stephen-clark/)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126792.png)
Artist's concept of the U.S. Air Force's X-37B spaceplane. Credit: Boeing

With an eye on dangerous Hurricane Irma's forecast path toward Florida, SpaceX and the U.S. Air Force are proceeding with preparations to launch an unpiloted reusable military spaceship Thursday on a mission to conduct experiments in orbit, deploy multiple small satellites and glide back to Earth for a runway landing.

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The commercial launcher rolled out to launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, and SpaceX ground crews planned to lift the rocket vertical with a hydraulic erector overnight.

Thursday's launch window opens at 9:50 a.m. EDT (1350 GMT) and runs until 2:55 p.m. EDT (1855 GMT), according to SpaceX. The target launch time within that window has not been released.

Most of the Boeing-built X-37B spaceplane's objectives following launch Thursday are top secret, and the Air Force has not revealed how long it will stay in orbit. Previous X-37B missions have stayed aloft for up to 718 days, or nearly two years.

Forecasters fr om the Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron call for iffy conditions during Thursday's launch window, predicting a 50 percent chance that weather will violate one of the Falcon 9 rocket's launch criteria.

A frontal boundary, and not Hurricane Irma nearly 1,000 miles to the southeast of Cape Canaveral, will be the main weather worry during Thursday's countdown.

"The boundary will bring additional moisture and instability that will promote higher afternoon storm chances along the Space Coast," the weather team wrote in an outlook issued Wednesday. "Morning conditions will likely be the more favorable portion of the launch window."

Officials will watch for thick clouds and cumulus clouds during the launch window, but high-altitude winds are expected to be favorable.

Mostly cloudy skies are in the forecast, with northerly winds of 10 to 15 mph and a temperature of 82 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Weather conditions are forecast to worsen for a backup launch opportunity Friday, but officials have not decided if they could make another launch attempt before preparing for approaching Hurricane Irma.

An advisory from the National Hurricane Center Wednesday evening called for the storm to be over or near South Florida by Sunday afternoon, and perhaps close to Florida's Space Coast some time Sunday night, still as a major hurricane.

The Air Force's 45th Space Wing, the unit which oversees launch operations at Cape Canaveral, is already gearing up for the hurricane. Military officials said they have begun "precautionary preparations to secure property and any launch infrastructure that may be exposed to storm conditions."

Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, commander of the 45th Space Wing, wrote in a post to the wing's Facebook page that officials have not determined if SpaceX can attempt another countdown Friday if necessary.

"Even while we're preparing for the coming storm, we still have a Falcon 9 to launch tomorrow carrying the X-37B," Monteith wrote. "If for any reason we cannot launch tomorrow we will reevaluate whether or not we can still support another attempt on Friday."

If SpaceX is not able to get the Falcon 9 off the ground before Hurricane Irma threatens Central Florida, ground teams will lower the rocket and return it the company's horizontal assembly hangar near pad 39A.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126759.jpg)
An X-37B spaceplane seen after touchdown at NASA's Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida in May. Credit: U.S. Air Force

Once the rocket blasts off, the Falcon 9's first stage will come back to Earth for a landing on a concrete pad a few miles south of pad 39A. A series of braking burns will slow down the booster for touchdown at Landing Zone 1, a seaside landing target around 9 miles (15 kilometers) south of the rocket's launch pad.

Thursday's launch will kick off the fifth flight of the Air Force's X-37B program. The robotic mini-shuttle, also called the Orbital Test Vehicle, launched four previous times on United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rockets.

Here is a listing of the X-37B's flight history compiled by Spaceflight Now's Justin Ray.

Orbital Test Vehicle Mission 1
 (first flight of Vehicle No. 1)
 Launch: April 22, 2010
 Landing: Dec. 3 2010
 Duration: 224 days

Orbital Test Vehicle Mission 2
 (first flight of Vehicle No. 2)
 Launch: March 5, 2011
 Landing: June 16, 2012
 Duration: 469 days

Orbital Test Vehicle Mission 3
 (second flight of Vehicle No. 1)
 Launch: Dec. 11, 2012
 Landing: Oct. 17, 2014
 Duration: 675 days

Orbital Test Vehicle Mission 4
 (unconfirmed which vehicle)
 Launch: May 20, 2015
 Landing: May 7, 2017
 Duration: 718 days

The Air Force has also not confirmed which of the two X-37B vehicles is launching Thursday.

Managed by the Air Force's Rapid Capabilities Office, the X-37Bs are about one-quarter the size of a space shuttle orbiter. Built by Boeing's Phantom Works division, each spaceship has a wingspan of nearly 15 feet (4.5 meters) and a length of more than 29 feet (8.9 meters).

The X-37B weighs about 11,000 pounds (5 metric tons) and has typically orbited Earth at altitudes between 200 and 250 miles (320 to 400 kilometers).

The X-37Bs, also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle, take off nestled inside the payload fairing of a conventional rocket, then open payload bay doors and deploy a power-generating solar panel in orbit. The windowless spaceplanes glide back to Earth for a runway landing.

The fourth X-37B mission was the first to return to landing on the space shuttle's former runway at the Kennedy Space Center. Boeing and the Air Force have based the X-37B's refurbishment center at the Florida spaceport in two hangers that previously housed space shuttle orbiters.

Several firsts are planned for the next flight, dubbed OTV-5.

"The fifth OTV mission continues to advance the X-37B's performance and flexibility as a space technology demonstrator and host platform for experimental payloads," the Air Force said in a press release. "This mission carries small satellite ride shares and will demonstrate greater opportunities for rapid space access and on-orbit testing of emerging space technologies.

Military officials have lauded the X-37B's ability to return experimental hardware back to Earth for inspection and reuse. The Air Force did not disclose whether the secondary payloads riding with the X-37B will deploy from the Falcon 9 rocket itself or from the spaceplane's cargo bay.

"Building upon the fourth mission and previous collaboration with experiment partners, this mission will host the Air Force Research Laboratory Advanced Structurally Embedded Thermal Spreader payload to test experimental electronics and oscillating heat pipe technologies in the long duration space environment," the statement said.

The thermal spreader experiment will test three oscillating heat pipes. The new heat pipe technology is lighter and less expensive than components used on most satellites to keep internal avionics temperatures within safe margins.

"The three primary science objectives are to measure the initial on-orbit thermal performance, to measure long duration thermal performance, and to assess any lifetime degradation," the Air Force Research Laboratory said in a fact sheet.

The rest of the flight plan remains secret.

The Air Force said that the OTV-5 mission will launch into a higher-inclination orbit than earlier X-37B flights. The four X-37B missions to date flew in orbits tilted between 38 and 43.5 degrees to the equator, but the next one will reach higher latitudes on each lap around Earth.

A hazard map published for pilots and mariners suggests the Falcon 9 rocket will head northeast away from Cape Canaveral. A notice to pilots also indicates debris from the Falcon 9's upper stage will fall somewh ere in or near the Southern Ocean between Antarctica and Australia a few hours after liftoff following a de-orbit burn.

"The many firsts on this mission make the upcoming OTV launch a milestone for the program," Walden said. "It is our goal to continue advancing the X-37B OTV so it can more fully support the growing space community."

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Цитироватьria.ru (https://ria.ru/defense_safety/20170907/1501900399.html)  Темная сторона войны: США запустят в космос беспилотник с секретной миссией (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/133608.jpg)  
 



МОСКВА, 7 сен — РИА Новости, Андрей Станавов. Пентагон планирует сегодня запустить космический многоразовый беспилотник Boeing X-37 с пятой по счету секретной миссией в интересах ВВС. Резервная дата старта — 8 сентября. Об этом говорится в материалах компании SpaceX. Ракета-носитель Falcon 9 фирмы Илона Маска для выведения X-37B будет использоваться впервые — до этого его всегда запускала United Launch Alliance на ракете Atlas V. Крылатый мини-шаттл  способен годы крутиться вокруг Земли и умеет автоматически садиться на аэродром. Суммарная продолжительность четырех его полетов превысила две тысячи дней. Как уверяет Пентагон, аппарат предназначен для научных исследований, в частности, в рамках предыдущей двухлетней миссии на нем ставили эксперименты по ионному двигателю и изучали поведение материалов в условиях космоса.
Однако многие российские и зарубежные эксперты уверены, что официальная версия — это лишь прикрытие и верхушка айсберга в проекте, о котором в США предпочитают не распространяться. Выдвигались версии, что созданная совместно с NASA засекреченная машина предназначена для отработки технологий уничтожения спутников с орбиты или нанесения ракетно-бомбовых ударов по Земле. О том, для каких научных исследований уникальный космолет подходит больше всего и можно ли считать его запуски подготовкой плацдарма для развертывания боевых действий в космосе, — в материале РИА Новости.
 

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 Космос под грифом
Несмотря на секретность, снимки Boeing X-37 ОТV (Orbital Test Vehicle) можно найти в открытом доступе. Внешне он напоминает уменьшенный спейс-шаттл с размахом крыльев 4,5 метра, при длине 8,9 метра и весе в пять тонн. Разработкой аппарата NASA и Boeing занялись еще в 1999 году. Изначально его создавали для ремонта спутников, но через пять лет проект засекретили и передали (https://ria.ru/radio_brief/20160512/1431864474.html%20) Агентству по перспективным оборонным научно-исследовательским разработкам США (DARPA).
 


(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/132585.jpg)
 (https://ria.ru/science/20170823/1500970206.html?inj=1)


Сейчас ВВС располагают двумя такими машинами. По данным Пентагона, каждый космоплан может работать на высотах от 200 до 750 километров, умеет быстро менять орбиты и маневрировать, способен вести разведку и доставлять в космос небольшие грузы. В официальном Twitter-аккаунте ВВС
его назвали (http://inosmi.ru/video/20170508/239304724.html%20)
 самым современным и технологичным космическим кораблем многоразового использования. Любопытно, что спецпроект курирует особое подразделение ВВС США, отвечающее в том числе за разработку стратегического бомбардировщика следующего поколения, который сменит знаменитый В-2 Spirit.
 Наука двойного назначения
Логично предположить, что беспилотник применяют только для тех экспериментов, которые по каким-то причинам нельзя провести на Международной космической станции, хотя она тоже является долговременной орбитальной платформой и у американских астронавтов в плане науки там полный карт-бланш. Таких причин сразу напрашивается две — нежелание посвящать в свои дела партнеров по МКС или потенциальная опасность опытов для экипажа.
 


(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/133380.jpg)
 (https://ria.ru/science/20170805/1499801930.html?inj=1)


"Сам по себе X-37B не слишком интересен и представляет собой лишь испытательную лабораторию, управляемую с Земли, отмечает член-корреспондент Российской академии космонавтики, независимый эксперт Андрей Ионин. — Важно то, что происходит у него внутри. Поскольку сейчас проект курирует DARPA, на нем, по всей видимости, проводятся эксперименты двойного назначения. Причем такие, для которых нужно что-то запустить на орбиту, подольше там подержать, вернуть на Землю и изучить".
"Внутри может находиться все что угодно, вплоть до ядерных зарядов. Эксперты часто говорят об отправке атомного оружия в космос, но ведь, по факту, никто не знает, что с ним произойдет в условиях космической радиации. Такой аппарат, как X-37B, позволяет изучить этот вопрос. Подобные опыты могут быть небезопасны для экипажей пилотируемых кораблей и станций, поэтому беспилотник тут идеально подходит. Тем более что Пентагон подобные вещи не афиширует, а доказать это практически невозможно", — сказал Андрей Ионин РИА Новости.
 



Американский космический беспилотник X-37B



 Звездные войны
Главный советник Российского института стратегических исследований, политолог Владимир Козин увидел в проекте ВВС реальную угрозу международной безопасности и считает, что США создают в космосе площадку для будущих боевых действий.
 


(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/132534.jpg)
 (https://ria.ru/radio_brief/20160512/1431864474.html?inj=1)


"На этом шаттле есть огромный грузовой отсек, в который можно загружать либо ударные космические вооружения класса "космос — космос", то есть противоспутниковые системы, либо системы "космос — земля", то есть ударно-боевые средства, которые из космоса могут быть использованы против объектов на поверхности Земли", —
ранее заявил (https://ria.ru/radio_brief/20160512/1431864474.html)
 РИА Новости Владимир Козин в эфире радио Sputnik.
Тема "звездных войн" для США не новая. Долгосрочную программу экспериментов по отработке систем сопровождения космических целей и наведения оружия Пентагон разработал еще в 1985 году. Уже тогда в кабинетах "пятиугольника" говорили о создании космических командных пунктов, ударных боевых платформ с лазерным и пучковым оружием и даже военных баз на Луне. И хотя после развала СССР от милитаризации космоса было решено отказаться, сегодня к данной теме возвращаются все чаще.
 



Запуск ракеты Atlas V со спутником Вооруженных сил США с мыса Канаверал



 
Этим летом начальник штаба ВВС Дэвид Голдфейн открыто заявил, что Военно-воздушные силы больше не рассматривают космос как мирное пространство и он вполне может стать полем боя.
"Это пространство, в котором мы должны уметь сражаться и побеждать, сохраняя превосходство на орбите. Если война выйдет в космос, мы должны быть к этому готовы", — сказал Дэвид Голдфейн.
Примечательно, что эти мысли он озвучил не где-нибудь, а на тех самых июньских сенатских слушаниях, в ходе которых министр Военно-воздушных сил США Хизер Уилсон анонсировала пятую миссию беспилотника Boeing X-37.
 Немного физики
Несмотря на то что разработчики заявляют о высокой маневренности беспилотника, опрошенные РИА Новости специалисты в области ракетно-космической техники с этим не согласны и считают, что X-37B конструктивно не очень годится для постоянной смены орбит, поэтому космический перехватчик и бомбардировщик из него никакой.
"В баллистике есть такое понятие, как запас характеристической скорости. Эта величина определяет способность корабля маневрировать и прямо зависит от запаса топлива. Чем он больше, тем выше маневренность. Для этого должно соблюдаться соответствующее соотношение размера баков к общей массе аппарата. На фото мини-шаттла X-37B я не вижу больших баков, а вижу тяжелый планер с крыльями и грузовым отсеком. Соответственно, возможностей по орбитальным маневрам у него немного — максимум выведение, незначительные межорбитальные переходы и спуск", — заявил РИА Новости сотрудник одного из ведущих предприятий "Роскосмоса", пожелавший остаться неназванным.
В качестве примера он привел российские пилотируемые корабли "Союз" с запасом характеристической скорости около 330 метров в секунду. Это позволяет им поднимать орбиту с 200 до 400 километров, стыковаться к МКС и затем спускаться, кроме того, предусмотрен резерв топлива на случай внештатных ситуаций.
 


(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/133355.jpg)
 (https://ria.ru/science/20170407/1491725240.html?inj=1)


"Большие американские шаттлы по этому показателю проигрывали "Союзам" — для обеспечения их стыковки нам даже приходилось снижать орбиту МКС с 400 до 350 километров, — подчеркнул специалист. — Челноки с грузом физически не могли подняться выше. Впрочем, для такого аппарата, как X-37B, важнее даже не маневренность, а автономность. Сам факт того, что он может в течение двух лет болтаться в космосе и затем благополучно оттуда вернуться, это уже серьезное достижение".
 Пример "большого брата"
Однако, как показывает практика, боевые качества космических аппаратов не всегда определяются их высокой маневренностью и запасами топлива — все зависит от конкретных задач. Известно, что "большой брат" мини-шаттла американский корабль Space Shuttle еще до завершения летных испытаний "натянул армейский китель" и служил мощной лабораторией для Пентагона.
 


(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/133606.jpg)
 (https://ria.ru/science/20170817/1500516027.html?inj=1)


Челноки и их экипажи "затачивали" для визуальной разведки из космоса, фиксации пусков баллистических ракет, поиска спутников и сближения с ними. В третьем полете шаттл "Колумбия" сблизился со спутником оптико-электронной разведки "Кихоул-11" для его инспектирования. С помощью шаттлов разыскивали на орбите советские аппараты серии "Космос" и последние ступени ракет-носителей.
Начальник штаба ВМС США адмирал Джеймс Уоткинс еще в 1980-е отмечал, что эксперименты с челноками позволили "открыть новые явления, исключительно важные как для понимания процессов, происходящих в океане, так и для обеспечения большей скрытности американских подводных лодок и задачи обнаружения подводных лодок противника в погруженном состоянии".
Впрочем, Советский Союз в этом вопросе тоже не отставал. Еще до появления шаттлов в ОКБ-1 (сейчас РКК "Энергия") работали над целой линейкой боевых орбитальных кораблей. К примеру, "Союз-ППК" ("Пилотируемый перехватчик") планировалось оснастить восемью ракетами для уничтожения спутников противника. Кроме перехватчика, разрабатывались военные корабли "Союз-ВИ" ("Военный исследователь") и "Союз-Р" ("Разведчик").
Все это — далеко не полный арсенал оружия, которым две сверхдержавы собирались воевать за пределами атмосферы. Как ни парадоксально, зачастую грань между мирной космонавтикой и технологиями орбитальной войны весьма и весьма условна.
 



Шаттл-"микроволновка" компании Escape Dynamics



 

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьWhile airspace closures are consistent with the launch targeting a low Earth orbit with inclination of approximately 43 degrees, airspace reserved for the second stage's reentry suggests that it will be entering the atmosphere from a more highly-inclined trajectory.

It is not clear whether this inclination change would occur before or after the X-37B separates, although the Air Force has indicated that OTV-5's orbit will have greater inclination than any previous X-37B mission – and a 43-degree orbit was used by OTV-3.

ЦитироватьAnother purpose for the inclination change could be to deploy secondary payloads into a different orbit. After spacecraft separation, the second stage will make at least one burn, to deorbit itself. The hazard area for second stage reentry shows that this event will take place to the South of Australia. Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMS, show that this hazard area is active from 17:54 to 22:26 UTC (13:54 to 18:28 EDT), suggesting that reentry will occur around three-and-a-half to four hours after liftoff.

Цитировать09/07/2017 08:49 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/196244.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/197263002?url=https://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1406735)
The Falcon 9 rocket was raised vertical at pad 39A a short time ago in preparation for liftoff Thursday. The launch window opens at 9:50 a.m. EDT (1350 GMT).

Спойлер

The 229-foot-tall (70-meter) launcher will be activated and checked out in the coming hours, and ground crews at pad 39A will evacuate the complex ahead of final fueling preparations.

The Air Force and SpaceX have not disclosed the target launch time within Thursday's window, which extends to 2:55 p.m. EDT (1855 GMT).

If the countdown targets liftoff at the opening of Thursday's window, the SpaceX launch conductor will poll the Falcon 9 launch team 8:47 a.m. EDT (1247 GMT) to begin filling the two-stage rocket with liquid propellant.

RP-1 kerosene fuel will be pumped into the rocket beginning at 8:50 a.m. EDT (1250 GMT), followed by the start of liquid oxygen loading at 9:15 a.m. EDT (1315 GMT).

[свернуть]

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186095.jpg) Robin Seemangal‏Подлинная учетная запись @nova_road (https://twitter.com/nova_road) 4 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/nova_road/status/905629392617000960)

#SpaceX (https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpaceX?src=hash) Falcon 9 at Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A. Loaded atop is the classified X-37B spaceplane built by Boeing Phantom Works for the USAF
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167132.jpg)

Цитировать
(https://scontent-frt3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/p50x50/14938366_10157541301760012_6798878251615293226_n.jpg?oh=10368fa3337b7c2a28f377bba760a804&oe=5A4E2B2B) (https://www.facebook.com/45thSpaceWing/?ref=nf&hc_ref=ARQmojAZ8VwPsFCErTWwt1s_8NYz0Y5RbIFhCd7sP98qHgrGllQ9LO_s6NXs_qE_RN0) 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. (https://www.facebook.com/45thSpaceWing/?hc_ref=ARSU2IOwweh5ANMZmArQnI0Ok3mX9RLqhTSelw9ZFJCh3g2NMU5HcPl5nfT64wP591s&fref=nf)
5 ч (https://www.facebook.com/45thSpaceWing/photos/a.10151080153260012.774286.482808580011/10159112700420012/?type=3) ·

Sharks

As we reach the end of the day, I wanted to give you a quick update on where things currently stand. As we continue preparing for Hurricane Irma, we are also continuing with tomorrow's launch operations for the X-37B on board a Falcon 9--our "window" opens at 10 a.m. While we focus on our mission and work to protect our base assets we must also make sure we are taking care of each other and preparing our homes and families for the pending storm.

 With that in mind, I am working closely with state and county officials and have an open and ongoing dialogue regarding the storm's progress and whether an evacuation order will become necessary.
...
 VR
 Shark 1

ЦитироватьЗловредный пишет:
Ступень возвратится на космодром.

Цитироватьтавот пишет:

ЦитироватьЗловредный пишет:
Ступень возвратится на космодром.

Может боятся, что баржу в море застигнет приближающийся ураган ?

Цитироватьтавот пишет:

ЦитироватьЗловредный пишет:
Ступень возвратится на космодром.

Может боятся, что баржу в море застигнет приближающийся ураган ?

Цитировать09/07/2017 14:30 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/196244.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/197264043?url=https://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1406735)
No problems have been reported during countdown preparations this morning. The final countdown sequencer is set to begin one hour before launch time.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905746610600202240)

#Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) is counting down to a semi-classified launch with the U.S. Air Force X-37B winged space plane. http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/falcon-9-completes-static-fire-for-otv-5/ ... (https://t.co/HxJT8utzVU)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167187.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905746864007467008)

#Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) / #X37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/X37B?src=hash) - OTV-5 has a launch window of 13:50 to 18:55 UTC. Coverage of ascent will end at fairing sep. http://bit.ly/2wKEpl7 (https://t.co/SJC0scaT65)


1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905747044207341568)

#Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) has multiple brief blocks of window availability over the course of the five-hour launch period.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 56 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905749789005848577)

Space Weather is also being watched today due to an inbound Coronal Mass Ejection creating increased geomagnetic activity, proton flux.
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167190.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 26 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905758224388943873)

#Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) was powered up early today for an extensive testing campaign involving launch vehicle systems and ground support equipment.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 26 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905758469390774277)

Range countdown ops started around L-4 hours at the Morrell Operations Center with instrumentation setup before corridor monitoring #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67530.jpg) Spaceflight Now‏ @SpaceflightNow (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow) 3 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/905767395347894272)

Watch view of pad 39A in Florida, where SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket awaits launch. Window opens at 9:50am EDT (1350 GMT). https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/09/07/falcon-9-otv-5-mission-status-center/ ... (https://t.co/4oyXGvGVZC)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167198.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905767959188180992)

NOTAMS issued for OTV-5 indicate a launch corridor toward a 43° inclination, Stage 2 re-entry will occur from a higher inclined orbit.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/69029.jpg) SpaceX‏Подлинная учетная запись @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) 2 мин назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/905768404052611072)

Falcon 9 and OTV-5 are vertical on Pad 39A Weather is 50% favorable for today's ~5 launch window which opens at 9:50 a.m. EDT, 13:50 UTC.
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167193.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 32 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905770355897372672)

80 min until the opening of the launch period. Next up should be a weather briefing to decide whether to go for the opening of the window.

Цитировать09/07/2017 15:29 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/196244.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/197264353?url=https://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1406735)
At this point in the countdown, security forces around pad 39A are ensuring the area is evacuated before the start of fueling.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 5 мин назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905772080498700289)

Today's #X37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/X37B?src=hash) launch uses a Block 4 #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) FT. The first stage is targeting a propulsive return to the Cape's Landing Zone 1.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/30256.jpg) Tom McCool‏ @Cygnusx112 (https://twitter.com/Cygnusx112) 16 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/Cygnusx112/status/905771493321256963)

LC39A is 15 miles away and as you can see the weather looks beautiful at the moment. Let's light this #SpaceX (https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpaceX?src=hash) candle! #OTV5 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTV5?src=hash) #X37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/X37B?src=hash)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167204.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905775249656078336)

One hour to the opening of today's #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) / #X37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/X37B?src=hash) OTV-5 launch period. No word on T-0 target yet.

Цитировать09/07/2017 15:53 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/196244.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/197264610?url=https://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1406735)
We're standing by for an update from SpaceX or indications that fueling of the Falcon 9 rocket is underway for a launch attempt at or near the opening of today's window, which begins at 9:50 a.m. EDT (1350 GMT).

Цитировать09/07/2017 16:02 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/196244.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/197264690?url=https://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1406735)
Officials have not announced an official target launch time, but the Falcon 9 countdown is currently timed for a liftoff at 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT).

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 5 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905778309652512768)

#Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) is working toward a 14:00 UTC T-0 and tanking has begun with RP-1 loading.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 3 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905778794249809920)

RP-1 is the first step in loading the #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) for flight, LOX load is expected to start at T-35min on the 1st and T-20min on the 2nd stage.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185971.jpg) 45th Space Wing‏ @45thSpaceWing (https://twitter.com/45thSpaceWing) 2 мин назад (https://twitter.com/45thSpaceWing/status/905781474615492609)

Eastern Range is ready to launch the fifth @usairforce (https://twitter.com/usairforce) mission of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) aboard a @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167179.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185736.jpg) Greg Pallone‏Подлинная учетная запись @gpallone13 (https://twitter.com/gpallone13) 11 мин назад (https://twitter.com/gpallone13/status/905780894916599809)

Beautiful morning for @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) launch. #X37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/X37B?src=hash) #OTV5 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTV5?src=hash) @PortCanaveral (https://twitter.com/PortCanaveral) @MyNews13 (https://twitter.com/MyNews13) @Explorationtwr (https://twitter.com/Explorationtwr) 9:50 am target liftoff
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167176.jpg)

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167175.jpg)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167177.jpg)

[свернуть]

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/69029.jpg) SpaceX‏Подлинная учетная запись @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) 5 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/905785470755364865)

~30 minutes until Falcon 9 launch of OTV-5. Webcast will go live about 10 minutes before liftoff → http://spacex.com/webcast  (https://t.co/gtC39uBC7z)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905787758358220800)

T-20 Minutes: LOX load begins at this point in the count on the second stage, targeting LOX close-out right at T-2 minutes. #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 1 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905788614369566721)

#Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) Ascent Profile: http://bit.ly/2xd9Vey  (https://t.co/k2bcpqE9qj) - 1st Stage fires for 2min & 23sec, Stage 2 takes #X37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/X37B?src=hash) to orbit. Booster Landing at T+8:14
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167240.jpg)

Цитировать09/07/2017 16:41 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/196244.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/197264911?url=https://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1406735)
T-minus 19 minutes and counting. Here are some statistics on today's flight:

[/li]
• 41st launch of a Falcon 9 rocket since 2010
• 46th launch of Falcon rocket family since 2006
• 1st launch of Falcon 9 First Stage No. 40
• 36th Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral
• 104th flight from launch pad 39A
• 10th Falcon 9 launch from pad 39A
• 20th launch of the upgraded Falcon 9
• 1st SpaceX launch of an X-37B
• 2nd Falcon 9 launch for the U.S. Air Force
• 8th Boeing spacecraft launched by SpaceX
• 21st attempt to recover Falcon 9 first stage
• 7th recovery attempt at Landing Zone 1
• 26th Falcon 9 day launch
• 13th Falcon 9 launch of 2017
• 15th launch overall from Cape Canaveral in 2017
  

Цитировать09/07/2017 16:45 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/196244.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/197264927?url=https://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1406735)
SpaceX's live coverage of today's launch will be different than normal. The company's webcast coverage of the ascent portion of the flight will end around 3 minutes after liftoff, once the Falcon 9's payload fairing is jettisoned, at the request of the U.S. Air Force.

Live video of the first stage's descent and landing will continue, with touchdown set for T+plus 8 minutes, 14 seconds, at Landing Zone 1 at nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Цитировать09/07/2017 16:45 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/196244.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/197264929?url=https://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1406735)
T-minus 14 minutes and counting. There are no issues being discussed at this time by the SpaceX launch team.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905789232299565057)

The pace of countdown events will step up again at T-7 minutes with the start of engine chill. Timeline: http://bit.ly/1Yx0oBm  (https://t.co/oC2G8MO7Tx) #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash)

Цитировать09/07/2017 16:48 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/196244.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/197264939?url=https://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1406735)
T-minus 11 minutes and counting. The Falcon 9 rocket stands 229 feet tall and measures 12 feet in diameter. At liftoff, its nine Merlin 1D first stage engines will generate about 1.7 million pounds of thrust.
Fully fueled for launch, the Falcon 9 contains more than a million pounds of kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants.

Цитировать09/07/2017 16:51 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/196244.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/197264954?url=https://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1406735)
The ignition system on the Falcon 9's upper stage engine should be configured for launch at this time.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 54 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/905790786998022145)

LZ-1 with a second pad being built for what will be two FH Side Boosters landing at the same time. #OhYesThatWillBeCool (https://twitter.com/hashtag/OhYesThatWillBeCool?src=hash)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167252.jpg)

Цитировать09/07/2017 16:52 (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/196244.png)  (http://24liveblog.com/share/197264960?url=https://v.24liveblog.com/live/?id=1406735)
T-minus 7 minutes. Prevalves leading to the Falcon 9's Merlin 1D first stage engines are opening, permitting super-cold liquid oxygen to flow into the engines to condition the turbopumps for ignition.

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 1 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905791104481624064)

Stage 1 holding on LOX at 95% and Stage 2 is passing 80%. #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185376.jpg) Spaceflight101 LIVE‏ @S101_Live (https://twitter.com/S101_Live) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/S101_Live/status/905791110886412288)

CHILLDOWN - Engine pre-valves are open, Merlins now chilling down their turbomachinery for ignition. http://bit.ly/2xdcgGk  (https://t.co/9j7voSmB7l) #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash)

ЦитироватьА про основной результат запуска сообщить?

ЦитироватьLIVE: Falcon 9 Rocket Launch with US Air Force's X37-B Spaceplane (OTV-5)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/220764.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/user/SpaceVidsNet) Space Videos (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdF5d0UwSJJunRcRVzP1uDg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/69029.jpg) SpaceX‏Подлинная учетная запись @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) 18 мин. назад[/url

Falcon 9 first stage has landed at Landing Zone 1.
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167263.jpg) (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/905795469208502274)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/905800681705046022)

We're just waiting for a USAF release to confirm good S/C Sep for the X-37B

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 3 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/905800596720164865)

SpaceX launches first X-37B launch with a Falcon 9 - ARTICLE: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/09/spacex-first-x-37b-launch-falcon-9/ ... (https://t.co/NjQVzmB0HX) - COVERAGE: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43585.0 ... (https://t.co/uwrUl6I8Xj)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167275.jpg)

Спойлер

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[свернуть]

Цитировать

SpaceX launches first X-37B launch with a Falcon 9 (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/09/spacex-first-x-37b-launch-falcon-9/)

ЦитироватьOrbital Test Vehicle 5 (OTV-5) Mission

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/220682.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/user/spacexchannel) SpaceX (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtI0Hodo5o5dUb67FeUjDeA)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186166.jpg) Military Flight‏ @Military_Flight (https://twitter.com/Military_Flight) 7 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/Military_Flight/status/905802037840969730)

#OTV5 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTV5?src=hash) | #AirForce (https://twitter.com/hashtag/AirForce?src=hash) newly launched #X37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/X37B?src=hash) space shuttle has separated from #SpaceX (https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpaceX?src=hash) Falcon 9 upper stage to begin a long duration mission in LEO
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167279.jpg)

ЦитироватьGeorgea пишет:
А была какая-нибудь инфа о том, когда планируется запустить ступень в третий раз?

Цитировать...

On Thursday, September 7 at 10:00 am EDT, SpaceX successfully launched the Orbital Test Vehicle 5 (OTV-5) payload from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Following stage separation, Falcon 9's first stage successfully landed at SpaceX's Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. You can watch a replay of the launch below and find more information about the mission in our press kit. (http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/otv5_presskit.pdf)

Спойлер

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M6Zvi-fFv4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M6Zvi-fFv4)

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Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186131.jpg) John Kraus‏ @johnkrausphotos (https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos) 10 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/905807302711791616)

Florida's #SpaceCoast (https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpaceCoast?src=hash): #HurricaneIrma (https://twitter.com/hashtag/HurricaneIrma?src=hash) preparation, surfing, and #SpaceX (https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpaceX?src=hash) #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash) rocket launches and landings.
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Спойлер

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ЦитироватьBoeing X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/220760.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/user/Boeing) Boeing (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9IEkprr46ScglWU79HF5qQ)

Опубликовано: 7 сент. 2017 г.

Watch the video to learn more about the Boeing-built X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV).

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 10 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/905822618300932098)

That works as confirmation!

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185335.png) Boeing Defense‏Подлинная учетная запись @BoeingDefense (https://twitter.com/BoeingDefense) 9 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/BoeingDefense/status/905822393280720896)

#Boeing (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Boeing?src=hash)-built X-37B OTV-5 mission successfully launches for @usairforce (https://twitter.com/usairforce) @AFSpace (https://twitter.com/AFSpace) on @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) Falcon 9. More #X37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/X37B?src=hash) > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-7VNf7DCY8 ... (https://t.co/7xe2OX2Grx)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-7VNf7DCY8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-7VNf7DCY8)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67530.jpg) Spaceflight Now‏ @SpaceflightNow (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow) 17 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/905821560707133440)

Here's a zoomed-in view of the Falcon 9 rocket firing off pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center this morning: https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/09/07/video-falcon-9-fires-away-from-pad-39a/ ... (https://t.co/W1eSCjrBMR)

Video (https://twitter.com/i/videos/tweet/905821560707133440)

Цитировать

Video: Falcon 9 fires away from pad 39A (https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/09/07/video-falcon-9-fires-away-from-pad-39a/)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186225.jpg) Gen. Jay Raymond‏ @AFSpaceCC (https://twitter.com/AFSpaceCC) 28 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/AFSpaceCC/status/905820111789064193)

"Congratulations @45thSpaceWing (https://twitter.com/45thSpaceWing) and @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) on a successful launch (and landing!) of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying OTV-5 into orbit"
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ЦитироватьFifth X-37B Mission Sent into Orbit by Falcon 9 Rocket, 1st Stage Lands at Cape Canaveral
 September 7, 2017 (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/spacex-falcon-9-launches-fifth-x-37b-mission/)

A SpaceX Falcon 9 blasted into partly cloudy skies over Cape Canaveral on Thursday, carrying into orbit the U.S. Air Force's X-37B winged space plane on a mostly classified mission to test out new technologies in space and perform a range of experiments out of public view as part of the program's fifth flight.

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154351.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/36689886890_99709e6934_o.jpg)
Photo: SpaceX

The looming arrival of Hurricane Irma (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at1.shtml?cone#contents) created some pressure on getting Falcon 9 off the ground on time to move the X-37B out of harm's way by sending it into orbit prior to the storm trekking over Florida if current forecast models hold true. The Kennedy Space Center and neighboring Cape Canaveral Air Force Station were placed under Hurricane Condition, initiating preparations of equipment and facilities for the potential arrival of Irma – only giving SpaceX opportunities on Thursday before Falcon 9 would have needed to take shelter inside the hangar at Launch Complex 39A.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154366.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/x37b-otv5-launch-9.jpg)
First Stage Landing – Photo: SpaceX Webcast

Luckily, local weather cooperated and Falcon 9 was able to move through a smooth countdown on Thursday leading up to blastoff at 14:00 UTC, 10 a.m. local time. Climbing out from the former Saturn V and Space Shuttle Launch Pad, the 70-meter tall Falcon 9 swung to the north east – burning its nine Merlin 1D main engines for just shy of two and a half minutes before the MVac-powered second stage fired up to deliver the five-metric-ton X-37B into a classified orbit.

While the second stage headed into orbit without the public watching, the first stage booster performed a rocket-powered U-turn to accelerate back toward Cape Canaveral. A burn at re-entry decelerated the 47-meter tall first stage and a half-minute burn of the center engine slowed the booster for a gentle touchdown on four fold-out landing legs. Standing tall at the Cape's Landing Zone-1 after mastering SpaceX's seventh land-based return, Booster #1040 will be secured and moved to safety as swiftly as possible prior to Irma's arrival – currently expected Sunday night.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154353.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/7151998_orig.jpg)
Photo: U.S. Air Force (OTV-1)

The U.S. Air Force's X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) is an uncrewed re-usable space plane capable of carrying out extended missions in Low Earth Orbit before returning to Earth with its experimental payloads protected within the craft's payload bay. X-37B – developed by Boeing's Phantom Works division in cooperation with the Air Force – evolved from NASA and DARPA's X-37A project initiated in 1999 but abandoned after a series of glide flight tests in 2006. X-37A has been envisioned to be deployed by the Space Shuttle to carry out its own satellite servicing or scientific missions beyond the maximum mission duration of the Shuttle Orbiter.

Taking over the project from NASA, the U.S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office set out to create a multi-mission capable vehicle to satisfy the demand for responsive access to space for various experiments, testing of various emerging technologies and, possibly, space-based intelligence gathering.

The X-37B weighs around five metric tons at liftoff, standing 8.9 meters tall underneath the rocket's payload fairing with a wingspan of 4.5 meters. It offers a 2.1 by 1.2-meter payload pay that opens up once the craft arrives in orbit to deploy a power-generating solar array and expose whatever payloads are aboard the craft to the space environment.

>> X-37B Spacecraft Overview (http://spaceflight101.com/spacecraft/x-37b-otv/)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154352.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/6938477_orig.jpg)
Image: Boeing Phantom Works

All four previous X-37B missions rocketed into orbit atop Atlas V launch vehicles, the first began in April 2010 and lasted 224 days, serving as a shakedown mission to validate the spacecraft's design on an operational mission with much focus on the vehicle's autonomous landing on a runway at Vandenberg Air Force Base – the first fully autonomous runway landing carried out by an American spacecraft.

...

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154356.jpg) (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154356.jpg)
OTV-4 after Landing – Photo: U.S. Air Force

OTV-5 has the overall objective of advancing the X-37B to more fully support the growing space community, flying a series of payloads aboard the space plane including technology demonstrators. As with previous OTV flights, specific details on the craft's mission like its operating orbit, target mission duration or specifications on the payloads aboard the vehicle are kept secret by the Air Force. However, the Air Force stated that the OTV-5 mission would fly in a higher-inclined orbit than its predecessors to broaden the X-37B's flight environments.

One payload on the OTV-5 mission that was publicly acknowledged is the Air Force Research Laboratory Advanced Structurally Embedded Thermal Spreader that will test experimental electronics and oscillating heat pipe technologies over a long-duration space flight. Three oscillating heat pipes are part of the package to evaluate the technology for future applications in space as it could offer lighter and less expensive thermal control solutions for satellite missions. The goal of the OTV-5-mounted experiment will be to evaluate the technology's initial thermal performance and monitor it over an extended period to assess long-term degradation.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154360.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/otv4-post-landing.jpg)
Photo: U.S. Air Force

The Air Force also said the OTV-5 mission hosts small satellite ride shares to demonstrate greater opportunities for rapid space access. It was not specified whether the ride share satellites were to be deployed from the X-37B itself or a deployer mounted on the Falcon 9 rocket's second stage.

It was not announced which of the two X-37B space vehicles was flying on the OTV-5 mission, but based on announcements made for the first three missions it is assumed that flights alternate between the two craft. This would mean OTV-5 is the third trip into space for the first X-37B spacecraft.

With only one day of launch opportunities, SpaceX aimed to make it count – wheeling the Falcon 9 out on Wednesday sitting on its Transporter, Erector, Launcher that was slightly modified to add a structural support for the X-37B when in a horizontal position as the craft is normally integrated in a vertical posture. Also, the TEL featured an additional purge supply, flowing purge gas into the tail end of the X-37B within the 5.2-meter diameter Falcon 9 payload fairing.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154361.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/spacexhomepageotv5.jpg)
Photo: SpaceX

Thursday's launch period stretched from 13:50 through 18:55 UTC with several available windows within the broader launch period. SpaceX ran Falcon 9 through a smooth countdown – starting with Falcon 9 going vertical overnight for power-up and several hours of thorough launch vehicle and ground systems checks to clear the way for fueling. Controllers also had eyes on the cloud cover over the Cape and solar/geomagnetic activity, but luckily all remained within limits to permit an attempt near the opening of the window at 14 UTC.

With T-0 set, the automatic launch sequencer kicked in at T-1 hour to take Falcon 9 through the complex tanking sequence starting with loading the two-stage stack with around 155 metric tons of Rocket Propellant 1, chilled to -7°C. 360 metric tons of densified Liquid Oxygen chilled to -207°C were pumped into the first stage starting at T-35 minutes with the second stage following suit at T-20 minutes to reach flight level just inside T-2 minutes. Falcon 9 continued to be well behaved through its fast-paced final countdown sequence, going into motion at T-7 minutes with the chilldown of the nine Merlin 1D engines.

>> Falcon 9 FT Launch Vehicle (http://spaceflight101.com/spacerockets/falcon-9-ft/)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154349.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/36250895284_8c24cb4232_o.jpg)
Photo: SpaceX

Falcon 9 switched its two stages to internal power, the Strongback moved back and was primed for a rapid kickback at T-0 and the triple-redundant flight control system was aligned for flight. The Autonomous Flight Termination System was armed and final approval for liftoff was voiced from the Eastern Range and Launch Director while Falcon 9 went into final tank pressurization.

Falcon 9 soared to life at T-3 seconds and blasted off when clocks hit zero with a thrust of nearly 700 metric-ton-force. The 20-story vehicle balanced in a vertical posture for the first seconds of flight, clearing the 106-meter tall tower at LC-39A before entering its pitch and roll maneuver to attain a north-easterly heading identified through Notices to Airmen and Mariners published prior to launch.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154362.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/x37b-otv5-launch-4.jpg)
Second Stage Plume impinges on First Stage – Photo: SpaceX Webcast

Guzzling down 2,450 Kilograms of propellants per second, Falcon 9 went through the sound barrier around 73 seconds into the flight followed six seconds later by Maximum Dynamic Pressure for which the nine engines throttled back briefly to reduce stress on the ascending vehicle.

The first stage finished its role in the primary mission two minutes and 24 seconds into the flight, having boosted the vehicle to a speed of 1,660 meters per second. Stage separation occurred three seconds later at an altitude of 69 Kilometers with the first stage heading off on its return to Cape Canaveral while the second stage went into start-up mode for the boost into orbit.

The first stage wasted no time after staging as every second carried it further downrange from its landing site. Using its cold gas thrusters, the booster initiated a rapid flip maneuver to point its engines toward the direction of travel for the boost back maneuver – initially lighting only the center engine two minutes and 40 seconds into the flight to finish the flip followed by ignition of two outer engine five seconds later when the stage was level on the velocity vector.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154363.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/x37b-otv5-launch-6.jpg)
Florida comes into view for the returning First Stage – Photo: SpaceX Webcast

Blasting the engines for 55 seconds allowed the first stage to reverse course toward Cape Canaveral. During three minutes of coasting outside the atmosphere, Stage 1 passed an apogee of 136 Kilometers before falling back toward Earth, accelerating in speed as it approached the dense layers of the atmosphere.

Cape Canaveral came into view from the booster's onboard camera as it reached a top speed of 1,291m/s at the start of the entry burn six minutes and 32 seconds into the flight. Using a staggered ignition & shutdown scheme, the entry burn lasted twenty seconds and slowed the vehicle by 745 meters per second – creating a fairly benign re-entry at a speed of Mach 2.2.

The booster relied on its four actuated grid fins during 50 seconds of atmospheric descent, fine-tuning its course toward LZ-1 as the booster crossed the sound barrier for the second time on Thursday. Ignition of the Center Engine on the landing burn occurred seven minutes and 44 seconds into the flight to slow the booster down for landing, deploying its four landing legs and coming to a gentle on-target touchdown approximately eight minutes and 13 seconds after launch.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154364.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/x37b-otv5-launch-7.jpg)
Stage 1 just above the cloud deck – Photo: SpaceX Webcast

The successful landing of Block 4 Booster #1040 brought SpaceX's total to 16 successful recoveries out of 21 tries, involving 14 different boosters (two re-flown boosters were recovered). For landing on land, SpaceX is keeping a perfect 7/7 record and Thursday's landing was the 12th successful recovery in a row.

While the first stage was going through the motions for landing, the second stage was tasked with earning the money via delivering the X-37B to orbit. Ignition of the MVac engine of the second stage was confirmed shortly after staging and onboard footage from the first stage showed the 13-meter long payload fairing halves tumbling away from the upper stage after separating outside the dense atmosphere. It is unknown whether Thursday's mission featured a fairing recovery attempt.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154365.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/x37b-otv5-launch-8.jpg)
Photo: SpaceX Webcast

The expectation for a Low Earth Orbit delivery by Falcon 9 would be for the second stage to reach its target orbit with a single burn, but no information on Thursday's flight profile was provided. The re-entry area of the second stage over the ocean between Australia and Antarctica points to a major inclination change to occur at some point during second stage flight as the initial heading of Falcon 9 pointed toward a 43-degree orbit and the entry zone is more indicative of a 60-70-degree orbit.

A possibility would be a fairly large dogleg maneuver during the second stage burn to satisfy OTV-5's requirement of a higher-inclination than its predecessors. The second stage re-entry zone is in effect from T+3 hours and 54 minutes, indicating a fairly long coast will be performed by the vehicle prior to disposal – possibly to deploy secondary payloads.

Successful OTV-5 deployment was confirmed by the Air Force later on Thursday and it is now up to the satellite tracking community to spot the craft in its classified orbit.

[свернуть]

Цитировать45th Space Wing launched 5th Orbital Test Vehicle Mission
By 45th Space Wing Public Affairs / Published September 07, 2017

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. --
The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle at 10 a.m. on Sept. 7, 2017, from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A.

Спойлер

At approximately eight minutes after the launch, SpaceX successfully landed the Falcon 9 first-stage booster at Landing Zone 1 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The Falcon 9 rocket carried into orbit an X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), marking the fifth space flight for the X-37B program and its first onboard a Falcon 9.

Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, 45th Space Wing commander thanked the entire OTV-5 mission team for their efforts in ensuring a successful launch.

"I'm incredibly proud of the 45th Space Wing's contributions to the X-37B program," Monteith said. "This marks the fifth successful launch of the OTV and its first onboard a Falcon 9.  A strong relationship with our mission partners, such as the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, is vital toward maintaining the Eastern Range as the World's Premiere Gateway to Space."

The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle is led by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office with its operations overseen by Air Force Space Command's 3rd Space Experimentation Squadron. The OTV is designed to demonstrate reusable spacecraft technologies for America's future in space and operate experiments, which can be returned to and examined on Earth.

[свернуть]

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185335.png) Boeing Defense‏Подлинная учетная запись @BoeingDefense (https://twitter.com/BoeingDefense) 3 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/BoeingDefense/status/905838227298414592)

Thank you, @USAirForce (https://twitter.com/usairforce), @AFSpace (https://twitter.com/AFSpace), @45thSpaceWing (https://twitter.com/45thSpaceWing) and @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) for a great partnership and launch! #X37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/X37B?src=hash)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167298.jpg)

ЦитироватьFarakh пишет:
А когда последний раз Маск откладывал запуск?

ЦитироватьA SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the U.S. military's X-37B, a spaceplane also called the Orbital Test Vehicle, on the program's fifth mission. The Falcon 9 rocket's first stage will return to landing at Cape Canaveral a few minutes after liftoff. Delayed from Aug. 28. [July 26]

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67530.jpg) Spaceflight Now‏ @SpaceflightNow (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow) 56 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/905833951490711553)

Watch a wide-angle 4K video replay of this morning's Falcon 9 launch with the X-37B military spaceplane: https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/09/07/4k-video-wide-angle-view-of-falcon-9-launch/ ... (https://t.co/xd8b5SSAvU)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167284.jpg)

Цитировать

4K video: Wide-angle view of Falcon 9 launch (https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/09/07/4k-video-wide-angle-view-of-falcon-9-launch/)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/69029.jpg) SpaceX‏Подлинная учетная запись @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) 38 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/905861374445850628)

More photos from today's Falcon 9 launch and first stage landing → http://flickr.com/spacex  (https://t.co/095WHWMtKp)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167315.jpg)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167314.jpg)

ЦитироватьSpaceX beats hurricane with smooth launch of military's X-37B spaceplane
September 7, 2017 (https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/09/) Stephen Clark (https://spaceflightnow.com/author/stephen-clark/)

Succeeding on a one-shot launch attempt before Hurricane Irma shut down the Cape Canaveral spaceport, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket thundered into orbit Thursday with the U.S. Air Force's X-37B spaceplane, a reusable robotic mini-shuttle that could stay aloft for years with clandestine on-board experiments.

Спойлер

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126793.jpg)
Credit: SpaceX

Burning a super-chilled mixture of kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants, the 229-foot-tall (70-meter) Falcon 9 launcher ignited nine Merlin 1D engines and climbed away fr om launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) Thursday.

The Boeing-built X-37B spaceplane arrived in orbit shortly after liftoff to complete SpaceX's 13th mission of the year, a record busy year for the California-headquartered commercial launch operator.

Officials said it was likely the last chance for the Falcon 9 rocket to take off before ground crews would need to secure the vehicle for Hurricane Irma, a powerful Category 5 storm forecast to pass over or near Cape Canaveral as soon as Sunday.

After soaring through puffy cumulus clouds and pitching on a course northeast from the Florida spaceport on 1.7 million pounds of thrust, the Falcon 9's first stage engines turned off and the booster fell away from the rocket's second stage around two-and-a-half minutes into the flight.

The upper stage's single Merlin engine, fitted with a nozzle extension to more efficiently operate in the airless vacuum of space, ignited on time as the first stage pulsed cold gas nitrogen control jets to flip around to begin a guided descent back to a landing pad at Cape Canaveral.

Following guidelines set by the Air Force, SpaceX ended live commentary on the progress of the second stage's flight less than three minutes after liftoff. Video coverage of the booster's plunge back to Earth continued, and three of the first stage's Merlin 1D powerplants restarted high over the Atlantic Ocean for "boost-back" and "entry" burns to steer the rocket back toward land.

Four stabilizing grid fins also helped maneuver the 14-story booster as it encountered thicker air falling through the stratosphere.

The first stage's center engine fired once more as the booster made its final descent, and the Falcon 9 extended four landing legs for touchdown at Landing Zone 1, a flat concrete target on the Atlantic coastline around 9 miles (15 kilometers) south of launch pad 39A.

SpaceX intends to inspect, refurbish and reuse the first stage on a future launch. The company has now recovered one of its Falcon 9 boosters intact 16 times over the last two years, a capability officials say will reduce the cost of SpaceX's launches.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126794.jpg)
Credit: SpaceX

Meanwhile, the Falcon 9's upper stage apparently completed its orbit insertion and deployment maneuvers without trouble, and Air Force and Boeing officials called the launch a success.

The flight is the fifth time one of the Air Force's two X-37B spaceplanes, each about one-quarter the length of one of NASA's retired space shuttle orbiters, has rocketed into space. Four earlier missions rode United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rockets launched from Cape Canaveral.

Built by Boeing's Phantom Works division and managed by the Air Force's Rapid Capabilities Office, each spaceship has a wingspan of nearly 15 feet (4.5 meters) and a length of more than 29 feet (8.9 meters). The ship's wings fit snugly inside the 17-foot-diameter (5-meter) payload shrouds on the Falcon 9 and Atlas 5 rockets.

The X-37B, also called the Orbital Test Vehicle, weighs about 11,000 pounds (5 metric tons) and has typically orbited Earth at altitudes between 200 and 250 miles (320 to 400 kilometers).

No details about the X-37B's altitude or orbital parameters were released for this mission, but safety notices published for pilots and mariners ahead of the launch suggested the rocket would place the miniature windowless space shuttle into an orbit tilted between roughly 40 and 65 degrees to the equator.

The Air Force announced before the launch that the fifth X-37B flight, known as OTV-5, would go into a higher-inclination orbit than earlier X-37B flights. The four X-37B missions to date flew in orbits tilted between 38 and 43.5 degrees to the equator, but the next one will reach higher latitudes on each lap around Earth.

Military officials said launching the OTV-5 mission on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket would add to the program's flexibility, demonstrating the X-37B can fly on two different types of boosters.

Several firsts are planned for the OTV-5 mission.

"The fifth OTV mission continues to advance the X-37B's performance and flexibility as a space technology demonstrator and host platform for experimental payloads," the Air Force said in a press release. "This mission carries small satellite ride shares and will demonstrate greater opportunities for rapid space access and on-orbit testing of emerging space technologies.

Military officials have lauded the X-37B's ability to return experimental hardware back to Earth for inspection and reuse. The Air Force did not disclose whether the secondary payloads riding with the X-37B will deploy from the Falcon 9 rocket itself or from the spaceplane's cargo bay.

"Building upon the fourth mission and previous collaboration with experiment partners, this mission will host the Air Force Research Laboratory Advanced Structurally Embedded Thermal Spreader payload to test experimental electronics and oscillating heat pipe technologies in the long duration space environment," the statement said.

The thermal spreader experiment will test three oscillating heat pipes. The new heat pipe technology is lighter and less expensive than components used on most satellites to keep internal avionics temperatures within safe margins.

"The three primary science objectives are to measure the initial on-orbit thermal performance, to measure long duration thermal performance, and to assess any lifetime degradation," the Air Force Research Laboratory said in a fact sheet.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126795.png)
Artist's concept of the X-37B spaceplane in orbit. Credit: Boeing

The rest of the flight plan remains secret, along with the mission's planned duration.

The ship could stay aloft for months of years. A deployable solar panel generates electricity for the mini-shuttle, and it does not rely on hydraulics for its aerosurfaces, unlike NASA's space shuttles, which were limited to missions lasting several weeks.

The X-37B will glide back to Earth for a runway landing to conclude its mission, likely targeting a homecoming at the Shuttle Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center, wh ere the OTV-4 mission ended. Boeing houses and prepares the X-37B spaceplanes for launch inside former space shuttle hangars near the space center's huge Vehicle Assembly Building.

...

At least one more X-37B flight, OTV-6, is on the books for liftoff on an Atlas 5 rocket in 2019 on the so-called Air Force Space Command-7 launch.

Спойлер

Meanwhile, SpaceX is gearing up for three more Falcon 9 launches in October.

A communications satellite for SES and EchoStar is scheduled to fly into geostationary orbit no earlier than Oct. 2 from pad 39A aboard a previously-flown Falcon 9 booster. The first stage has been readied for a second launch after a successful liftoff and landing in February.

The SES 11/EchoStar 105 spacecraft has been delivered to Cape Canaveral from its Airbus Defense and Space factory in Toulouse, France. An SES official said the launch date will depend on Hurricane Irma's impact on the Space Coast, and engineers are taking precautions to safely store the satellite during the storm.

Another Falcon 9 rocket is due for launch Oct. 4 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California with the third batch of 10 next-generation voice and data relay satellites for Iridium.

A commercial South Korean television broadcast satellite named Koreasat 5A is third in line on SpaceX's launch manifest, with liftoff from Florida scheduled for mid-October. SpaceX has not announced if Koreasat 5A will blast off from pad 39A or pad 40, the company's other East Coast launch complex at Cape Canaveral still under repairs after a rocket explosion last year damaged the facility.

[свернуть]

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьSpaceX - Loudest Landing - OTV-5 - X37B - 4K - 09-07-2017

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/220769.jpg) (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5hWqb0u1eKgYmVryCEyJYA) USLaunchReport (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5hWqb0u1eKgYmVryCEyJYA)

Опубликовано: 7 сент. 2017 г.

Sonic boom echoed for several seconds. With Hurricane IRMA bearing down on Florida, will be amazed if OTV-5 Booster can withstand Hurricane Force winds in a vertical position. SpaceX has never gone horizontal in less than three days.

ЦитироватьВошли снизу
SpaceX запустила убийцу российских спутников

ЦитироватьАниКей пишет:

Цитировать SpaceX запустила убийцу российских спутников

ЦитироватьАниКей пишет:

ЦитироватьВошли снизу
SpaceX запустила убийцу российских спутников

https://lenta.ru/articles/2017/09/08/x37b/

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186040.jpg) Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 51 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/906566910531325952)

Unofficial: The Falcon 9 Booster (B1040) that landed after the OTV-5 launch has been secured in the LZ-1 Hangar. http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43585.msg1721307#msg1721307 ... (https://t.co/syqfnRj27B)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167528.jpg)

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186095.jpg) Robin Seemangal‏Подлинная учетная запись @nova_road (https://twitter.com/nova_road) 1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/nova_road/status/906576952705904640)

The statement from the 45th Space Wing regarding Irma prep following the launch of the #SpaceX (https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpaceX?src=hash) Falcon 9. The booster is secure.
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167536.jpg)

ЦитироватьPhotos: Falcon 9 rocket lifts off and lands at Cape Canaveral
September 9, 2017 (https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/09/) Stephen Clark (https://spaceflightnow.com/author/stephen-clark/)

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket took off from Kennedy Space Center's launch pad 39A on Thursday, then its first stage booster touched down on a nearby landing target after sending a U.S. Air Force X-37B spaceplane toward orbit.

Спойлер

The 229-foot-tall (70-meter) rocket lifted off from pad 39A at 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) with the U.S. Air Force's X-37B spaceplane, a robotic miniature space shuttle that can operate without a crew for years in orbit, then return to landing on a runway.

It was the 41st launch of a Falcon 9 rocket since the first version of SpaceX's primary launcher debuted in June 2010, and the 13th Falcon 9 flight of the year.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126796.jpg)
Credit: SpaceX

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126797.jpg)
Credit: SpaceX

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126798.jpg)
Credit: SpaceX

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126799.jpg)
Credit: SpaceX

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126793.jpg)
Credit: SpaceX

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126800.jpg)
Credit: James Murati

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126801.jpg)
Credit: James Murati

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126802.jpg)
Credit: James Murati

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126803.jpg)
Credit: James Murati

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126804.jpg)
Credit: SpaceX

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/126794.jpg)
Credit: SpaceX

[свернуть]

Цитировать (https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/186137.jpg) DEIMOS IMAGING‏ @deimosimaging (https://twitter.com/deimosimaging) 9 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/deimosimaging/status/907255552153194496)

#DEIMOS2 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/DEIMOS2?src=hash) caught Cape Canaveral's Landing Zone1 at around 15:58 UTC, September 7, less than 2hours after #Falcon9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcon9?src=hash)'s first stage landed there!
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/167001.jpg)

Цитировать https://lenta.ru/articles/2017/09/08/x37b/
00:06, 8 сентября 2017
Вошли снизу
SpaceX запустила убийцу российских спутников
...
О последнем старте известно, что вместе с X-37 в интересах ВВС США запущено несколько кубсатов. Сообщается (http://spacenews.com/as-hurricane-approaches-spacex-poised-to-launch-air-forces-x-37b-space-plane/), что вторая ступень Falcon 9 вошла в атмосферу планеты под увеличенным углом, вероятно, малые спутники выпущены где-то над Австралией. Выведены ли эти аппараты на орбиту из грузового отсека мини-шаттла или отсоединились непосредственно от ракеты, неизвестно (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/09/spacex-first-x-37b-launch-falcon-9/), трансляция пуска после отделения первой ступени прекратилась.
...

Цитировать http://www.afspc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1297016/air-force-preparing-to-launch-fifth-orbital-test-vehicle-mission/
...
This mission carries small satellite ride shares and will demonstrate greater opportunities for rapid space access and on-orbit testing of emerging space technologies.
...

Цитироватьpnetmon (http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/user/41036/) пишет:
Ничего лишнего на орбите не обнаружили?

Цитировать https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/09/spacex-first-x-37b-launch-falcon-9/

Спойлер

The first burn of the second stage was likely to last around seven minutes. It is not clear, and unlikely to be confirmed by SpaceX or the US Air Force, whether this was the only burn prior to spacecraft separation, or whether the stage fired again to raise its orbit or increase orbital inclination.
While airspace closures are consistent with the launch targeting a low Earth orbit with inclination of approximately 43 degrees, airspace reserved for the second stage's reentry suggested that it was to be entering the atmosphere from a more highly-inclined trajectory.
It is not clear whether this inclination change would occur before or after the X-37B separates, although the Air Force has indicated that OTV-5's orbit will have greater inclination than any previous X-37B mission – and a 43-degree orbit was used by OTV-3.

[свернуть]

Another purpose for the inclination change could be to deploy secondary payloads into a different orbit. After spacecraft separation, the second stage will make at least one burn, to deorbit itself. The hazard area for second stage reentry shows that this event will take place to the South of Australia. Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMS, show that this hazard area is active from 17:54 to 22:26 UTC (13:54 to 18:28 EDT), suggesting that reentry will occur around three-and-a-half to four hours after liftoff.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/35114.png)Cees Bassa‏ @cgbassa (https://twitter.com/cgbassa) 6 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/cgbassa/status/984638003996954624)

The #OTV5 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTV5?src=hash) X-37B space plane, launched by @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) in September 2017, has been found after 218 days in orbit. The orbital inclination of 54.5 deg is much higher than with previous X-37B missions. The Northern hemisphere has morning visibility. More info at https://bit.ly/2HyzCZi  (https://t.co/p6g98cGZpu)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/162657.jpg)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/162658.jpg)

ЦитироватьFrom: C. Bassa via Seesat-l  
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2018 05:23:07 +0200

Спойлер

Код Выделить Развернуть

Conditions were foggy, so I had to use the DSLR with a 50mm F/1.8 lens
to take 10s exposures near Vega, which was still visible. OTV-5 was
seen visually and photographically about 100s late on Ted's
estimate. From the photographic images I obtain these observations:

42932 17 052A   4171 P 20180413022602034 28 25 1847320+460969 37 S
42932 17 052A   4171 P 20180413022603034 28 25 1851322+452652 37 S

The timing is only accurate to about a second as the camera clock was
used (synchronized manually).

Using these observations and those of April 11th yields this circular
orbit:

OTV-5                                                    356 x 357 km
1 42932U 17052A   18101.12966830  .00000000  00000-0  50000-4 0    03
2 42932  54.4698 145.3095 0001000   0.0000 103.9817 15.71178726    00
# 20180411.13-20180413.10, 9 measurements, 0.009 deg rms

Allow for some uncertainty in the orbit as it is assumed to be
circular, and there may be timing offsets in the photographic
measurements I have not accounted for.

However, my rough magnitude esimate was around 2nd or 3rd magnitude
when passing near Vega, so it should be easily visible. Even with
light fog it was bright and easy to spot.

------------------------------------------------------------------
Setup: EOS70D, 50mm F/1.8, 10s _at_ 800ISO, manual timing/aiming
IOD format: http://www.satobs.org/position/IODformat.html
COSPAR 4171: 52.8344N, 6.3785E, 10m (WGS84)
------------------------------------------------------------------

Regards,
   Cees

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьSecretive X-37B Space Plane Discovered in Orbit after Staying Hidden for 218 Days
 April 13, 2018 (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5-identified-in-orbit/)

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154346.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/6938477_orig1.jpg)
Image: Boeing Phantom Works

It circled the Earth in obscurity for more than half a year, now the semi-secret X-37B OTV 5 space plane has been conclusively identified by amateur satellite observers in a circular orbit around 355 Kilometers in altitude. The orbit's inclination at 54.5 degrees is much different fr om previous OTV missions and in part responsible for the craft remaining undiscovered for so long.

Спойлер

X-37B, conducting its fifth orbital flight, lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at Florida's Kennedy Space Center on September 7, 2017. In the typical secrecy surrounding the Air Force's X-37B program, the launch was shown until separation of the protective payload fairing and confirmation of successful orbital insertion was provided a short time later but operational aspects of the mission like the craft's operating orbit, intended mission duration and specifics on the payloads it carries were not disclosed.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154350.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/36251814644_1a469f63ee_o.jpg)
Falcon 9 Blasts off with OTV 5 – Photo: SpaceX

Given the hush-hush nature of its missions, X-37B is a target of intense observation by the amateur satellite community and the orbital dynamics of all four prior OTV missions were closely watched. Typically, the spacecraft was spotted in orbit within a few days after launch; however, there were several cases wh ere observers lost track of the spacecraft due to unexpected orbital maneuvers.

X-37B OTV 5 proved to be a tougher nut to crack as it was clear from the outset that the spacecraft would operate from a different orbit than its predecessors: "The fifth OTV mission will be launched into, and landed from, a higher inclination orbit than prior missions to further expand the X-37B's orbital envelope," the U.S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office said in a statement before the craft blasted off atop Falcon 9.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154347.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/DaoirdnWkAUFzyy.jpg)
OTV 5 Observation from the Netherlands – Credit: Cees Bassa

The safety zones identified for the September 7 Falcon 9 launch were of little use for narrowing down the orbit as the departure path from Florida pointed to a 43-degree orbit while the second stage re-entry/splashdown area was consistent with a 60-70° orbit – indicating there was plenty of out-of-plane maneuvering by the launch vehicle either before or after separation of the five-metric-ton spacecraft.

Observer Russell Eberst based in Scotland reported an unidentified object on October 3rd, 2017 (http://satobs.org/seesat/Oct-2017/0007.html) in a Low Earth Orbit in the neighborhood of 55 degrees, between 350 and 450 Kilometers in altitude. With only a single observation, margins for the orbit's altitude, inclination and right ascension were quite high, requiring follow-up observations to further constrain the orbit. A false detection in early November threw observers off the X-37B's tail and no conclusive observations were reported through April 2018.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154348.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/OTV5LC39A.jpg)
OTV 5 Orbit Plane over LC-39A at 14 UTC, September 7, 2017 – Image: Spaceflight101/JSatTrak

Dr. Cees Bassa, a professional radio astronomer and hobbyist satellite tracker from the Netherlands, reported an unidentified object on April 11 (http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2018/0056.html) in a 54.5-degree orbit at an altitude of around 355 Kilometers. Further study (http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2018/0057.html) of his observations showed the object was the same observed by Russell Eberst back in October and Bassa was able to observe and measure the object again on Thursday (https://twitter.com/cgbassa/status/984638003996954624) in an orbit of roughly 356 by 357 Kilometers, inclined 54.47 degrees.

Tracking elements of OTV 5 are available here (http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Apr-2018/0065.html); the northern hemisphere currently has morning visibility.

Further confidence of the object being X-37B OTV 5 came through back-propagating the orbital elements to the time of the mission's launch on September 7 showing close proximity of the orbit's plane to the Cape Canaveral launch site.

The orbital inclination of 54.5 degrees is in line with the Air Force's statement of OTV-5 operating from a higher inclination than previous OTV flights. The ~355-Kilometer orbital altitude is also in family with previous OTV missions: OTV 1 spent the majority of its mission around 330 Kilometers in altitude, OTV 2 exhibited frequent maneuvers between 270 and 450 Kilometers, OTV 3 flew around 390 Kilometers in altitude and OTV 4 spent most of its mission around 350 Kilometers in altitude, though at a lower inclination than the first three missions.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154359.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/x-37b-otv-5/wp-content/uploads/sites/182/2017/09/otv1c_boeing-photo.jpg)
Photo: Boeing/Astrotech (OTV-1)

The fact that observations of OTV 5 from October still are a good match with those from this week indicate the spacecraft has maintained its 355-Kilometer orbit for the last half year.

What the spacecraft might be up to in this type of Low Earth Orbit, some 50 Kilometers lower than the International Space Station, is pretty much unknown. As with the previous X-37B flights, only very few details on the OTV 5 mission are being shared with the public and most of what resides in the vehicle's 2.1 by 1.2-meter payload bay will remain secret.

One payload on the OTV 5 mission that was publicly acknowledged is the Air Force Research Laboratory Advanced Structurally Embedded Thermal Spreader that will test experimental electronics and oscillating heat pipe technologies over a long-duration space flight. Three oscillating heat pipes are part of the package to evaluate the technology for future applications in space as it could offer lighter and less expensive thermal control solutions for satellite missions. The goal of the OTV-5-mounted experiment will be to evaluate the technology's initial thermal performance and monitor it over an extended period to assess long-term degradation.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/154016.jpg) (http://spaceflight101.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/x37b-otv4-3.jpg)
Image: Boeing

The Air Force also said the OTV 5 mission hosts small satellite ride shares to demonstrate greater opportunities for rapid space access; however, no additional objects have been cataloged under the OTV 5 mission's international designator 2017-052 up to this point.

The planned duration of the OTV 5 mission was not revealed beforehand but the U.S. Air Force stressed on numerous occasions that the duration of X-37B missions is driven by a number of operational constraints including the performance of the spacecraft and the requirements of the different experiments flying on the mission. The presence of a heat pipe experiment – a component that has to function over periods of many years on future operational missions – could indicate that the OTV 5 mission may be of extended duration. OTV 4 set a new endurance record for the program, remaining in orbit for 718 days, indicating OTV 5 may not be returning to Earth any time soon.

[свернуть]

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/185302.jpg)Dr Marco Langbroek‏ @Marco_Langbroek (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek) 9 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/984750411591639040)

This image compares the orbital planes of the previous four #X37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/X37B?src=hash) OTV missions (red) to that of the current OTV-5 mission (white):
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/162681.jpg)

ЦитироватьАлександр Репной пишет:
Интересно, в связи с чем его так здорово перебросили по наклонению 54.5°?

ЦитироватьБезумный Шляпник пишет:
Держим в уме, что от этой твари еще кубсаты планировали отделять. Ждем с нетерпением.

Цитировать(https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/271119562/jcmy2_x96.jpg) (https://mobile.twitter.com/planet4589) Jonathan McDowell @planet4589 (https://mobile.twitter.com/planet4589) · 6 ч (https://mobile.twitter.com/planet4589/status/1100156967006416901)

During the past week, the USAF OTV 5 spaceplane seems to have lowered its orbit again to 316 x 319 km x 54.5 deg, according to data posted by Ted Molczan. This is similar to the orbit it was in in APr-Jul 2018


6 ч (https://mobile.twitter.com/planet4589/status/1100157197634416643)

In Aug-Sep 2018 OTV-5 went up to 388 x 394 km, and then in Nov 2018 to Feb 2019 it operated in a 340 x 349 km orbit until this latest maneuver.

ЦитироватьFinally An Image Of X-37B / OTV-5 Space Plane 
Taken by Ralf Vandebergh on July 2, 2019 @ the Netherlands

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/100005.jpg)
Click photo for larger image (http://spaceweathergallery.com/full_image.php?image_name=Ralf-Vandebergh-OTV-5_20190702_setP_1562176029.jpg)

Details:

I have been hunting for the OTV-5 since months and saw it visually in May. When I tried to observe it again mid June, it didnt meet the predicted time and path. It turned out to have maneuvered to another orbit. Thanks to the amateur satellite observers-network, it was rapidly found in orbit again and I was able to take some images on June 30 and July 2. This most recent pass was almost overhead. The OTV is a small version of the classic Space Shuttle, it is really a small object, even at only 300 km altitude, so dont expect the detail level of ground based images of the real Space Shuttle. Considering this, the attached images succeeded beyond expectations. We can recognize a bit of the nose, Payload Bay and tail of this mini-shuttle with even a sign of some smaller detail.

Images were taken through a 10 inch F/4,8 aperture Newtonian telescope with an Astrolumina ALccd 5L-11 mono CMOS camera. Tracking was fully manually through a 6x30 finderscope.

Цитироватьriafan.ru (https://riafan.ru/1198343-eks-ministr-vvs-ssha-rasskazala-kak-mini-shattl-x-37b-svodit-vragov-s-uma)              Экс-министр ВВС США рассказала, как мини-шаттл X-37B сводит врагов с ума
           
       (https://riafan.ru/uploads/2019/07/25/orig-1564002425_x-37b_kosmos_ssha_0_7176f5342e84cbd1fd60b37e4e60e222.jpg)

Москва, 25 июля.  Экс-министр ВВС США Хизер Уилсон на форуме по безопасности заявила, что  необычные маневренные возможности секретного мини-шаттла X-37B в  космосе сводят врагов с ума.Секретный мини-шаттл X-37B,  разработанный американской корпорацией Boeing, способен подолгу  находиться в космосе, выполняя различные задачи, после чего приземляться  по-самолетному на аэродроме. Сейчас идет пятый полет челнока, он был запущен в космос в сентябре 2017 года (https://riafan.ru/957533-novyi-zapusk-spacex-ilona-maska-mir-vstupil-v-epohu-zvezdnyh-voin). До этого с 2010 года состоялись четыре космических полета мини-шаттла длительностью от 225 до 718 дней.


В  начале июля астроном-любитель из Нидерландов Ральф Ванденберг смог  сфотографировать в космосе X-37B. На снимках, сделанных 30 июня и 2  июля, можно разглядеть, как мини-шаттл маневрирует на околоземной  орбите. Своими достижениями Ванденберг поделился в Twitter.


Как сообщает military.com (https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/07/23/former-secaf-explains-how-secret-x-37-space-plane-throws-enemies.html),  Уилсон, покинувшая свой пост в мае, подняла на форуме тему челнока  X-37B. По ее словам, он

Цитировать«может сформировать орбиту, которая выглядит как  яйцо».

Находясь близко к Земле, к атмосфере, он может неожиданно  развернуться.

Цитировать«Это означает, что наши враги не знают,  ведь это происходит на противоположной стороне Земли от наших врагов,  где он появится после этого. И мы знаем, что это сводит их с ума. И я  очень рада этому», — подчеркнула она.

(https://riafan.ru/uploads/2019/07/25/orig-1564002574_x-37b_boing_0_18bbdf5f48dc847c3352da997208e98c.jpg)

Программа  X-37B в 2004 году перешла в ведомство военных. Орбитальный космолет  Х-37В является одной из самых засекреченных разработок Пентагона. «Газета.ру» (https://www.gazeta.ru/army/2019/03/27/12268730.shtml)  ранее сообщала, что X-37B в перспективе может быть оснащен  малокалиберными скорострельными пушками, которые в условия космоса  способны эффективно поражать космические аппараты на больших дальностях.  Вполне возможно, что на космических истребителях будущего будет  установлено и управляемое ракетное оружие, и оружие на новых физических  принципах.

ЦитироватьАниКей написал:
Программа  X-37B в 2004 году перешла в ведомство военных. Орбитальный космолет  Х-37В является одной из самых засекреченных разработок Пентагона.  «Газета.ру»   ранее сообщала, что X-37B в перспективе может быть оснащен  малокалиберными скорострельными пушками, которые в условия космоса  способны эффективно поражать космические аппараты на больших дальностях.  Вполне возможно, что на космических истребителях будущего будет  установлено и управляемое ракетное оружие, и оружие на новых физических  принципах.
                  

ЦитироватьАниКей написал:
и оружие на новых физических  принципах.

ЦитироватьАниКей написал:
 

Цитироватьriafan.ru (https://riafan.ru/1198343-eks-ministr-vvs-ssha-rasskazala-kak-mini-shattl-x-37b-svodit-vragov-s-uma)               Экс-министр ВВС США рассказала, как мини-шаттл X-37B сводит врагов с ума
           
          Москва, 25 июля.  Экс-министр ВВС США Хизер Уилсон на форуме по безопасности заявила, что  необычные маневренные возможности секретного мини-шаттла X-37B в  космосе сводят врагов с ума. Секретный мини-шаттл X-37B,  разработанный американской корпорацией Boeing, способен подолгу  находиться в космосе, выполняя различные задачи, после чего приземляться  по-самолетному на аэродроме. Сейчас идет пятый полет челнока, он был  запущен в космос в сентябре 2017 года (https://riafan.ru/957533-novyi-zapusk-spacex-ilona-maska-mir-vstupil-v-epohu-zvezdnyh-voin) . До этого с 2010 года состоялись четыре космических полета мини-шаттла длительностью от 225 до 718 дней.  В  начале июля астроном-любитель из Нидерландов Ральф Ванденберг смог  сфотографировать в космосе X-37B. На снимках, сделанных 30 июня и 2  июля, можно разглядеть, как мини-шаттл маневрирует на околоземной  орбите. Своими достижениями Ванденберг поделился в Twitter.  Как сообщает  military.com (https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/07/23/former-secaf-explains-how-secret-x-37-space-plane-throws-enemies.html) ,  Уилсон, покинувшая свой пост в мае, подняла на форуме тему челнока  X-37B. По ее словам, он
 

Цитировать«может сформировать орбиту, которая выглядит как  яйцо».

ЦитироватьПутин: Россия быстро создаст ответные технологии, если США милитаризуют космос

При этом президент назвал чрезвычайно опасным сам факт размещения каких-то боевых комплексов в космическом околоземном пространстве

ШХАБАД, 11 октября. /ТАСС/. Президент России Владимир Путин весьма обеспокоен планами США по размещению военных технологий в космосе, но заверяет, что РФ примет ответные меры.

"Такое отношение к вопросам безопасности - я бы сказал, как минимум, не буду употреблять крепких выражений - не радует", - заявил глава российского государства на саммите СНГ. Путин описал чрезвычайно опасную тенденцию: "Есть определенные заделы у американской стороны, это касается многоразовых космических аппаратов - "шаттлов". Они дают определенные возможности и преимущества в военной сфере, если милитаризируют космос".


Президент заверил, что в ответ "все это будет нивелировано, и Россия достаточно быстро приобретет такие [же] компетенции".


"Просто сам факт размещения каких-то боевых комплексов в космическом околоземном пространстве чрезвычайно опасен, еще хуже, чем ракеты средней дальности в Европе, еще больше ухудшат ситуацию в сфере безопасности в мире", - уверен российский лидер. Путин пояснил: "Ведь дело может дойти до того, что над головой каждого государства будут висеть какие-то ударные комплексы. Подлетное время до соответствующих объектов поражения составит 5, 7, 8 минут. А управлять этими системами непросто в космическом пространстве. Возможны технологические сбои, все, что угодно".

ЦитироватьLiss написал:
Говорят, сел, сердешный.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/184886.jpg) Nathan Barker‏ @NASA_Nerd (https://twitter.com/NASA_Nerd) 3 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Nerd/status/1188382491431882752)

After 780 day on orbit the Orbital Test Vehicle #X37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/X37B?src=hash) landed at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility at 3:51am EDT Sunday morning.

#X37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/X37B?src=hash) was launched by a @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) #Falcom9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Falcom9?src=hash) on Sept 17, 2017 and scheduled to make its sixth mission in 2020.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125427.png) Credit: US Air Force

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/177479.jpg)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/177480.jpg)


3 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Nerd/status/1188393897589968899)

Correction: #37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/37B?src=hash) was launched on September 7th. 2017

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/184886.jpg) Nathan Barker‏ @NASA_Nerd (https://twitter.com/NASA_Nerd) 1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Nerd/status/1188415230822490117)

The #X37B (https://twitter.com/hashtag/X37B?src=hash) Orbital Test Vehicle Mission 5 back home at Kennedy Space Center after 780 days in space.

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/125427.png) Credit US Air Force

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/177484.jpg)

ЦитироватьX-37B breaks record, lands after 780 days in orbit
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published October 27, 2019

(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143400.jpg)
(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/143399.jpg)
The Air Force's X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Mission 5 successfully landed at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility Oct. 27, 2019. The X-37B OTV is an experimental test program to demonstrate technologies for a reliable, reusable, unmanned space test platform for the U.S. Air Force. (Courtesy photo)

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force's X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Mission 5 successfully landed at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility Oct. 27, 2019 at 3:51 a.m.

The spaceplane conducted on-orbit experiments for 780 days during its mission, recently breaking its own record by being in orbit for more than two years. As of today, the total number of days spent on-orbit for the entire test vehicle program is 2,865 days.

"The X-37B continues to demonstrate the importance of a reusable spaceplane," said Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett. "Each successive mission advances our nation's space capabilities."

This is the Air Force's premier reusable and unmanned spacecraft, providing the performance and flexibility to improve technologies in a way that allows scientists and engineers to recover experiments tested in a long-duration space environment.

"The safe return of this spacecraft, after breaking its own endurance record, is the result of the innovative partnership between Government and Industry," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein. "The sky is no longer the limit for the Air Force and, if Congress approves, the U.S. Space Force."

Managed by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, the X-37B program performs risk reduction, experimentation and concept of operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies.

"This program continues to push the envelope as the world's only reusable space vehicle. With a successful landing today, the X-37B completed its longest flight to date and successfully completed all mission objectives," said Randy Walden, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office director. "This mission successfully hosted Air Force Research Laboratory experiments, among others, as well as providing a ride for small satellites."

The distinctive ability to test new systems in space and return them to Earth is unique to the X-37B program and enables the U.S. to more efficiently and effectively develop space capabilities necessary to maintain superiority in the space domain.

"This spacecraft is a key component of the space community. This milestone demonstrates our commitment to conducting experiments for America's future space exploration," said Lt. Col. Jonathan Keen, X-37B program manager. "Congratulations to the X-37B team for a job well done."

This will be the second time the X-37B landed at the Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility--Mission 4 landed after 718 days in orbit. The spaceplane was designed for an on-orbit duration of 270 days.

"Today marks an incredibly exciting day for the 45th Space Wing," said Brig. Gen. Doug Schiess, 45th Space Wing commander. "Our team has been preparing for this event, and I am extremely proud to see their hard work and dedication culminate in today's safe and successful landing of the X-37B."

The fifth mission launched on Sept. 7, 2017 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on-board a Space X Falcon 9 booster, and the U.S. Air Force is preparing to launch the sixth X-37B mission from CCAFS in 2020.

Editor's note:
For more imagery, visit our X-37B feature page: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/X37BOTV  (https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/X37BOTV)

Цитироватьaaa1 написал:
Эк ему створки спереди выхлопом испачкало. Явно с открытым отсеком летал

Цитироватьaaa1 написал:
Эк ему створки спереди выхлопом испачкало. Явно с открытым отсеком летал.

ЦитироватьСтарый написал:
есть какието два отверстия:

ЦитироватьСтарый написал:
Не из них ли пшикало?  

ЦитироватьТелевизор-60 написал:
 Больше похожи на узлы крепления для установки подъёмно-транспортировочного приспособления.

Цитировать27 ОКТ, 20:38
Космоплан США обновил свой рекорд пребывания на околоземной орбите
Аппарат X-37B вернулся на Землю спустя 780 дней

ТАСС, 27 октября. Секретная миссия экспериментального беспилотного космоплана ВВС США X-37B завершилась спустя более чем два года пребывания на околоземной орбите в воскресенье приземлением на космодром на мысе Канаверал (штат Флорида), принадлежащий Центру управления полетами имени Кеннеди. Об этом говорится в заявлении, размещенном на официальном сайте ВВС США.

Американский космоплан, для которого данная миссия стала пятой с 2010 года, вернулся на Землю спустя 780 дней, чем обновил свой предыдущий рекорд пребывания на околоземной орбите, который насчитывал 718 дней. Как ожидается, в шестой раз беспилотный аппарат отправится в космос в 2020 году.

Как заявила представитель ВВС США Барбара Барретт, "X-37B продолжает демонстрировать важность таких многоразовых космических аппаратов".

Корпорация Boeing приступила к созданию X-37B в 1999 году под эгидой космического ведомства - NASA - и построила, как пишет Space.com, по меньшей мере два таких аппарата. В 2004 году программу засекретили и передали в ведение ВВС.

Аппарат имеет взлетную массу почти 5 т, достигает 8,9 м в длину, 2,9 м в высоту. Размах его небольших треугольных крыльев составляет 4,5 м. Оборудован панелями солнечных батарей, которые при развертывании на орбите служат источником электроэнергии. Весь полет и приземление проходят в автоматическом режиме.

Согласно информации, распространенной ранее Пентагоном, космоплан предназначен для функционирования на высотах от 200 до 750 км, способен быстро менять орбиты и маневрировать. Эксперты считают, что он может выполнять разведзадачи, доставлять небольшие грузы в космос, удобен для испытаний новых приборов, которые можно применять, к примеру, на спутниках-шпионах. Ряд специалистов видит в X-37B прототип будущего космического перехватчика, позволяющего инспектировать и при необходимости выводить из строя вражеские спутники и даже наносить ракетно-бомбовые удары с орбиты. Пентагон это отрицает, указывая, что X-37B - всего лишь "платформа для проверки новых технологий".

ЦитироватьСША рассказали о запуске секретных спутников с борта военного челнока X-37B
22:38 27.10.2019

МОСКВА, 27 окт - РИА Новости. Несколько ранее неизвестных малых спутников были запущены с борта секретного американского мини-шаттла X-37B, который два года проводил в космосе военные эксперименты и возвратился на Землю в воскресенье, сообщили ВВС США.

Ранее ВВС США рассказали о приземлении челнока в Космическом центре имени Кеннеди (мыс Канаверал, штат Флорида) после рекордных 780 суток на орбите.

"С сегодняшней успешной посадкой X-37B завершил самый длительный полет и успешно выполнил все задачи миссии", - сказал директор управления быстрых возможностей ВВС США Рэнди Вальден, слова которого приводятся в сообщении ВВС США.

"В ходе этой миссии были успешно проведены, в частности, эксперименты Исследовательской лаборатории ВВС США, а также была обеспечена доставка малых спутников", - добавил он.

Ранее США не сообщали о запуске спутников с борта X-37B.

Кроме того, в каталоге искусственных космических объектов, доступном на специализированном сайте ВВС США space-track.org, эти спутники отсутствуют.

Информация об их существовании также не внесена в каталог космических аппаратов, размещенный на сайте управления ООН по вопросам космического пространства UNOOSA. Каталог содержит информацию о выведенных на орбиту спутниках, которую страны предоставляют на обязательной основе.

Ранее генеральный директор Роскосмоса Дмитрий Рогозин сообщал, что теоретически такие объекты, как X-37B, можно использовать в качестве носителя оружия.

Челнок X-37B разработан американской компанией Boeing. С 2010 года состоялись пять космических полетов мини-шаттла длительностью от 225 до 780 дней с целью выполнения на орбите экспериментов в интересах ВВС США.

Программа X-37B была начата НАСА в 1999 году, но в 2004 году перешла в ведомство военных. Ее подробности, в том числе стоимость, засекречены.

[свернуть]

Цитироватьtnt22 написал:
 Ряд специалистов видит в X-37B прототип будущего космического перехватчика, позволяющего инспектировать и при необходимости выводить из строя вражеские спутники и даже наносить ракетно-бомбовые удары с орбиты. Пентагон это отрицает, указывая, что X-37B - всего лишь "платформа для проверки новых технологий".

Цитироватьtnt22 написал:
"This mission successfully hosted Air Force Research Laboratory experiments, among others, as well as providing a ride for small satellites."

Цитироватьtnt22 написал:
"В ходе этой миссии ... была обеспечена доставка малых спутников", - добавил он.

Ранее США не сообщали о запуске спутников с борта X-37B.

Кроме того, в каталоге искусственных космических объектов, доступном на специализированном сайте ВВС США space-track.org, эти спутники отсутствуют.

Информация об их существовании также не внесена в каталог космических аппаратов, размещенный на сайте управления ООН по вопросам космического пространства UNOOSA. Каталог содержит информацию о выведенных на орбиту спутниках, которую страны предоставляют на обязательной основе.

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67516.jpg) Jonathan McDowell‏ @planet4589 (https://twitter.com/planet4589) 3 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1188513737571033089)

The statement that this @usairforce (https://twitter.com/usairforce) X-37 flight deployed small satellites is alarming, since the US has not reported those deployments in its UN Registration Convention submissions. This would be the first time that either the USA or Russia has blatantly flouted the Convention.

ЦитироватьАниКей написал:
 riafan.ru               Экс-министр ВВС США рассказала, как мини-шаттл X-37B сводит врагов с ума           

ЦитироватьThe X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle breaks record with 780 days in orbit after landing at @NASAKennedy (https://twitter.com/NASAKennedy)'s Shuttle Landing Facility at 3:51 a.m.  Learn more about its record breaking mission here: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1999734/x-37b-breaks-record-lands-after-780-days-in-orbit/ ... (https://t.co/q3zs27xc9q)

 08:43 - 27 окт. 2019 г.

ЦитироватьСтарый написал:
А почему зверушка села в тёмное время?

ЦитироватьThe X-37B landed at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Oct. 27, 2019.


FL, UNITED STATES
10.27.2019
Video by Taylor Nave
45th Space Wing Public Affairs

Video (https://www.dvidshub.net/video/embed/717863)

(https://forum.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/file/104512)

Цитировать(https://img.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/67516.jpg) Jonathan McDowell‏ @planet4589 (https://twitter.com/planet4589) 1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1227308582561030144)

Hooray! The three satellites covertly deployed from OTV-5 sometime between  2017 Sep 7 and 2019 Oct 26 have at least now got catalog numbers and names: 45169-45171, 2017-52C/D/E, USA 295 to 297. Hopefully this presages actual orbital data being registered with the UN

Цитироватьtnt22 написал:
 

ЦитироватьJonathan McDowell‏  @planet4589    1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1227308582561030144)
Hooray!

ЦитироватьАниКей написал:
 Комсомольская правда
02:44
 Секретный американский мини-шаттл X-37B вывел на орбиту три спутника (https://www.kp.ru/online/news/3762959/)
К слову, накануне командующий космическими силами США генерал Джон Реймонд рассказал, что два российских спутника «преследуют» американский разведывательный аппарат...

 Взгляд.ру
00:37
 Появились сведения о выводе американских секретных спутников шаттлом X-37B (https://vz.ru/news/2020/2/11/1023228.html)
Космические аппараты получили в каталоге на специализированном сайте ВВС США space-track.org официальные названия USA-295, -296 и -297...

 News.ru
00:27
 Секретный американский челнок вывел на орбиту новые спутники (https://news.ru/cosmos/sekretnyj-amerikanskij-chelnok-vyvel-na-orbitu-novye-sputniki/)
Ранее  NEWS.ru сообщал, что власти США обеспокоены манёврами двух российских  спутников, которые «преследуют» американский разведывательный космический аппарат.

Цитироватьhttps://ria.ru/20200211/1564572523.html (https://ria.ru/20200211/1564572523.html)
23:24 11.02.2020

МОСКВА, 11 фев - РИА Новости. Секретный американский мини-шаттл X-37B (https://ria.ru/product_X-37B), который в 2017-2019 годах проводил в космосе военные эксперименты, вывел на орбиту три спутника неизвестного назначения, следует из каталога, доступного на специализированном сайте (https://www.space-track.org/auth/login) ВВС США space-track.org.

В октябре 2019 года директор управления быстрых возможностей ВВС США (https://ria.ru/organization_VVS_SSHA) Рэнди Вальден после приземления челнока X-37B впервые сообщил, что с его борта были выведены в космос несколько спутников.

На тот момент было неизвестно их количество, и спутники отсутствовали в каталоге искусственных космических объектов на сайте space-track.org.

Кроме того, информация об их существовании также не была внесена в каталог космических аппаратов, размещенный на сайте управления ООН по вопросам космического пространства UNOOSA. Каталог содержит информацию о выведенных на орбиту спутниках, которую страны предоставляют на обязательной основе.

Три секретных спутника получили в каталоге ВВС США официальные названия USA-295, -296 и -297, а также международные обозначения 2017-052С, -052D и -052E, подтверждающие принадлежность спутников к миссии шаттла X-37B, который имеет обозначение 2017-052A.
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ЦитироватьЧебурашка написал:
Бгг... а может он развалился на куски там в космосе  

Цитироватьtriage написал:
И все ссылаются на РИА
 

Цитироватьhttps://ria.ru/20200211/1564572523.html (https://ria.ru/20200211/1564572523.html)
23:24 11.02.2020

МОСКВА, 11 фев - РИА Новости. Секретный американский мини-шаттл  X-37B (https://ria.ru/product_X-37B) , который в 2017-2019 годах проводил в космосе военные эксперименты, вывел на орбиту три спутника неизвестного назначения, следует из каталога, доступного на специализированном  сайте (https://www.space-track.org/auth/login)  ВВС США space-track.org.

В октябре 2019 года директор управления быстрых возможностей  ВВС США (https://ria.ru/organization_VVS_SSHA)  Рэнди Вальден после приземления челнока X-37B впервые сообщил, что с его борта были выведены в космос несколько спутников.

На тот момент было неизвестно их количество, и спутники отсутствовали в каталоге искусственных космических объектов на сайте space-track.org.

Кроме того, информация об их существовании также не была внесена в каталог космических аппаратов, размещенный на сайте управления ООН по вопросам космического пространства UNOOSA. Каталог содержит информацию о выведенных на орбиту спутниках, которую страны предоставляют на обязательной основе.

Три секретных спутника получили в каталоге ВВС США официальные названия USA-295, -296 и -297, а также международные обозначения 2017-052С, -052D и -052E, подтверждающие принадлежность спутников к миссии шаттла X-37B, который имеет обозначение 2017-052A.
...

ЦитироватьЧебурашка написал:
Так
В в каталоге только номера и без параметров орбиты?