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Air Force X-37B space plane launched into orbit

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n2doc Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-11 08:01 AM
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Air Force X-37B space plane launched into orbit
By W.J. Hennigan, Los Angeles Times
March 6, 2011


An experimental robotic space plane was launched into orbit atop a massive Atlas V rocket Saturday for a classified Air Force mission that could last up to nine months.

The 19-story Atlas V and the space plane, dubbed the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, blasted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida at 5:46 p.m. Eastern time.

The unmanned X-37B, which resembles a miniature space shuttle, is about 29 feet long with a wingspan of about 15 feet. The spacecraft draws solar power for energy using unfolding panels.

While the Air Force has said the space plane is designed to stay in orbit for 270 days, it hasn't said much about the overall mission. It has said only that the vehicle provides a way to test new technologies in outer space, such as satellite sensors and other components.

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http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-space-plane-launch-20110306,0,7354977.story
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Scuba Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-11 08:24 AM
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1. While healthcare for all sinks in the muck....
"A rat bit my sister Nell..."
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HopeHoops Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-11 09:26 AM
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2. That's really Zephram Cochrane in The Phoenix.
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fittosurvive Donating Member (538 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-11 09:34 AM
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3. Space, the final frontier...
Good news...
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FLPanhandle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-06-11 09:37 AM
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4. Glad to know the US is still pushing the frontiers of engineering
It may not be as high profile as NASA but the USAF is doing some cool stuff.
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