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Cross-range applies within the atmosphere, not in orbit. Once in orbit, spaceplanes have no less predictable orbits than anything else with fuel and restartable
by dingaling 2y ago
Cross-range applies within the atmosphere, not in orbit. Once in orbit, spaceplanes have no less predictable orbits than anything else with fuel and restartable motors.
For the X-37 to deliver on a surprising vector it would have to sacrifice itself by deorbiting and manoeuvring, which I suppose is feasible. But modern MaRVs also have some re-entry cross-range and HGVs considerably more.
- cryptonector 2y agoIf you read TFA you'll see that the x-37b does have "cross-range" capabilities in orbit. It has enough fuel for some orbit changes, as reported in previous news, and in this instance it uses aerobraking to alter its orbit significantly at the cost of very little fuel.