Boeing is contemplating building a larger version of the X-37B test vehicle for delivering cargo to low Earth orbit. A third phase of the winged space craft could carry astronauts to LEO as well.
* The X-37B is an unmanned test vehicle developed by Boeing's Phantom works for the United States Air Force. It is launched into low Earth orbit inside a faring on top of an Atlas V rocket. It is designed to land like the space shuttle on a runway after orbital operations are completed.
* The X-37B is 29 feet, eight inches long, nine feet, six inches high, with a wing span of 14 feet, 11 inches. Its launch weight is 11,000 pounds.
* The X-37B was first launched into low Earth orbit in April, 2010 on a top secret Air Force Mission. The vehicle landed in December of that year after a seven month flight that the Air Force said was to test certain technologies needed for orbital operations. This apparently included at least four course corrections, observed by amateur astronomers.
* The course corrections suggested that one purpose of an operation vehicle based on the X-37B would be to intercept and either capture or destroy enemy satellites in time of war. The vehicle could also be used as a quick reaction space craft to deliver military satellites to low Earth orbit as needed. An operational X-37B could deliver a conventional warhead from the continental United States to any target in the world.
* The X-37B was launched again on March 5, 2011 and is currently conducting secret military tests.
* The idea of an X-37B derived cargo or even astronaut carrier is seen as a backup plan for space vehicles now under development under NASA's commercial crew program
* If the go ahead were given, the first step would be to launch the X-37B to rendezvous and dock with the International Space Station.
* The second step would be to build a larger version of the X-37B, which would be used to carry line replacement units (LRUs) to the ISS. The flights would also demonstrate the capability of flying an autonomous space craft to the ISS with astronauts.
* The crewed version of the X-37B derived vehicle would be able to carry five to seven astronauts at a time into low Earth orbit and destinations like the ISS.
* It is unclear how such an operational derivative of the X-37B would be funded, whether by NASA or the Air Force. The Air Force had, at one time, its own manned space program, which was cancelled in the mid 1960s. Before the Challenger accident, the space shuttle flew a number of military payloads. Subsequently military flights were conducted on unmanned launchers.
Mark R. Whittington is the author of Children of Apollo and The Last Moonwalker. He has written on space subjects for a variety of periodicals, including The Houston Chronicle, The Washington Post , USA Today, the L.A. Times and The Weekly Standard.
