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They are also more visible, hypersonic missiles stay low so the curvature of the earth makes tracking and neutralizing them (missile defense) difficult and cost
by thoughtstheseus 6y ago
They are also more visible, hypersonic missiles stay low so the curvature of the earth makes tracking and neutralizing them (missile defense) difficult and costly.
- spiritplumber 6y agoThat also makes it easier to track by satellite, though.
- ben7799 6y agoA weapon launched from space is hypersonic by definition, the X-37 itself travels at hypersonic speed all the time and moves faster than these missiles. The X-37 is very hard to track because it can make dramatic orbit changes using the earth itself as cover and appear from a different direction. It's all theoretical but a weapon like that launched from space is going to accelerate faster (it's already hypersonic when it comes off the rail) & generate less heat signature until it re-enteres the atmosphere. And if carrier groups can be sunk by these missiles it would make way more sense to have them on a space platform or a submarine platform than on ships.
- ncmncm 6y agoThe X-37's very long missions suggest that it doesn't really have any uses, and these long missions are just to park it someplace where it looks less like it has just been mothballed.
- LargoLasskhyfv 6y agoIs that so? How about systems testing of sensor and power packages in orbit, and conveniently upgrading them after a while? edit: I mean with less lead time and mission planning, systems integration like for conventional satellite launch methods.