Updates X-37B atop of Atlas 5 on March 4th 2011

[N_Molson]

Scrubbed for now, due to strong winds and cumulus clouds. There is a second launch windows this evening, though.

 

[orb]

New launch time 5:27 p.m. EST / 22:27 UTC.

 

[agentgonzo]

Currently a no-go due to high ground winds.

---------- Post added at 22:19 ---------- Previous post was at 22:16 ----------

SCRUB due to weather. 24 hour cycle.

 

[Star Voyager]

Does these launch times sound like a rendezvous to anyone, or is it just me?

 

[Mantis]

Does these launch times sound like a rendezvous to anyone, or is it just me?

Quite possible - perhaps the last X-37 mission left something up there and this one is to retrieve it.

I didn't realize how small this thing reall is until I bought a 1/72 scale Dragon Wing's die-cast model and placed it next to my 1/72 scale Space Shuttle Orbiter model. You could probably cram 15 or 20 X-37s inside the shuttle's payload bay.



---------- Post added at 07:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:59 PM ----------

Seems a successful lifting body program ! Let's hope there will be one day civilian applications of it...

It actually started life as a civilian program under NASA and was transfered to the USAF.

 

[Keatah]

I don't know.. I'm not impressed with this at all

 

[Capt_hensley]

I'm impressed, I stood next to the Aqua Trainer full scale mock up in Alamogordo NM, just 2 months ago. The satellites aren't much bigger than a medicine ball. I'd say yes it's a rendezvous just to prove it's a shuttle replacement for the USAF. Of course it can only handle small objects, but they could have a larger model in mind for the near future, if this X model pays off.

 

[Wishbone]

I knew that! X-37B is out for a meeting with an alien envoy!

 

[Keatah]

I mean this thing is the most ugliest thing in the skies.

 

[orb]

The launch is planned in 10 minutes.

 

[orb]

T-2 minutes and counting. Spacecraft and LV on internal power now. Looks like we'll have a launch today.

 

[Cairan]

Just checked-in in my hotel at Cocoa Beach, litteraly had to run to the beach but wow my first launch in person! Hope all goes well for the rest of the launch...

 

[liber]

Launch...

 

[Jarvitä]

Live coverage terminated at the request of USAF. :facepalm:

 

[liber]

Alien start to fall off from the X-37 so cover up.

 

[orb]

The launch was successful. Liftoff occurred at 22:46 UTC, and Centaur's engine completed burn at 23:04. Further information about spacecraft separation and its flight won't be announced.

 

[liber]

Can't find good photo of X-37B...

 

[Capt_hensley]

^ Nice source, I downloaded those not too long ago. Nice tile details, updated markings, even the night shots were well lit. Glad to here it got into space.

 

[orb]

Video replay & photos of the launch

USAF: Air Force launches second unmanned spacecraft.

NASASpaceflight: Atlas V launches second X-37B OTV test flight mission.

SPACE.com: Secretive X-37B Space Plane Launches on New Mystery Mission.

Boeing: 2nd Boeing-built Orbital Test Vehicle X-37B Begins Flight.

Video Replay of the launch of Atlas-V 501 with X-37B OTV-2

Spaceflight Now: Atlas 5 rocket rumbles into sunny sky:

Photo credit: Steven Young/Spaceflight Now
Photo credit: Stephen Clark/Spaceflight Now​

 

[Izack]

Great pictures of the launch, very welcome after being disappointed by the censored coverage. Thanks, Orb.