4 ms·

The space shuttle had "steal satellite out of orbit" as a mission profile but I don't think it ever did. I have suspicion that the airforce interest in the x-

by somat 3y ago

The space shuttle had "steal satellite out of orbit" as a mission profile but I don't think it ever did. I have suspicion that the airforce interest in the x-47 is to retain the possibility of this mission.

eatmyshorts 3y ago
It did, but only as a test. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-49 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-49
ruined 3y ago
do you think they would publicly state they had done it, if they did?
_kbh_ 3y ago
I think the x-47 could also be used for an insert satellite in orbit stealthily mission.
- sithadmin 3y ago
  Sounds like a lot of effort and expense for something that’ll quickly be spotted by even amateur enthusiasts somewhat quickly.
  - willvarfar 3y ago
    I think we're talking about the X-37, which is a secretive unmanned shuttle. There is a lot of speculation about the possible uses and missions for the X-37. Amateur astronomers enjoy trying to locate it, but it keeps manoeuvring! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_X-37#Speculation_regarding_purpose https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_X-37#Speculation_regard...
    - billfruit 3y ago
      Why is there so much secrecy surrounding it? Is it not a publicly funded project?
      - _kbh_ 3y ago
        > Why is there so much secrecy surrounding it? Is it not a publicly funded project? It's a military project so it's not surprising theres a lot of secrecy around it. Even more so that it's likely related to some sort of intelligence or combat missions.
    - somat 3y ago
      yes that was it, now I feel several sorts of awkward as I specifically looked it up because I could not remember the designation and yet, still somewhere between the list of x-planes and the comment entry the X-37(reusable baby space shuttle thing) became the X-47(stealth unmanned aircraft). Thanks for the catch.
comeonbro 3y ago
The entire original design for the Space Transportation System was fatally compromised by the requirement it be able to do that mission, setting back human spaceflight 40 years, and then it never did it.
- Dan_Sylveste 3y ago
  > then it never did it Who knows what would be floating around our little world right now if that capacity to grab stuff out of orbit didn't exist, hmm?

by somat 3y ago

eatmyshorts 3y ago

It did, but only as a test. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-49 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-49

ruined 3y ago

do you think they would publicly state they had done it, if they did?

_kbh_ 3y ago

I think the x-47 could also be used for an insert satellite in orbit stealthily mission.

sithadmin 3y ago
Sounds like a lot of effort and expense for something that’ll quickly be spotted by even amateur enthusiasts somewhat quickly.
- willvarfar 3y ago
  I think we're talking about the X-37, which is a secretive unmanned shuttle. There is a lot of speculation about the possible uses and missions for the X-37. Amateur astronomers enjoy trying to locate it, but it keeps manoeuvring! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_X-37#Speculation_regarding_purpose https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_X-37#Speculation_regard...
  - billfruit 3y ago
    Why is there so much secrecy surrounding it? Is it not a publicly funded project?
    - _kbh_ 3y ago
      > Why is there so much secrecy surrounding it? Is it not a publicly funded project? It's a military project so it's not surprising theres a lot of secrecy around it. Even more so that it's likely related to some sort of intelligence or combat missions.
  - somat 3y ago
    yes that was it, now I feel several sorts of awkward as I specifically looked it up because I could not remember the designation and yet, still somewhere between the list of x-planes and the comment entry the X-37(reusable baby space shuttle thing) became the X-47(stealth unmanned aircraft). Thanks for the catch.

comeonbro 3y ago

The entire original design for the Space Transportation System was fatally compromised by the requirement it be able to do that mission, setting back human spaceflight 40 years, and then it never did it.

Dan_Sylveste 3y ago
> then it never did it Who knows what would be floating around our little world right now if that capacity to grab stuff out of orbit didn't exist, hmm?