U.S. Space Force and what are they up to

[Jolly Blue Giant]

The newly formed Space Force is shrouded in mystery. The biggest mystery is the X-37B space plane, which just spent 908 days in space. It is unmanned (although there is a configuration where 6 astronauts could sit in the bay like passengers, but not control the plane). Boeing has built two of them, and they are battle tested and seem to by a viable spacecraft; however, it is rumored Boeing is building more of them while also developing a next-gen space plane. Whatever the case, it is the most highly secretive project going right now (probably other projects that are just as secretive...I don't know)





Supposedly, using vectoring propulsion, it can steer the ship anywhere it wants, and is not limited to close orbit missions. It can push satellites back into orbit that are slowly getting close to the earth's atmosphere, and can maneuver to a spot in orbit in order to have long time espionage using super cameras

The big questions: Is it fitted for warfare? Can it...more like...will it be used to carry some kind of bombs? Will it have the latest laser technology to knock out enemy satellites? Will it be used to capture and steal enemy satellites? When "Space Force" was created in 2019 as an official arm of the U.S. military, it was put on the same footing as the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, etc., so it must have an offensive/defensive plan for its use, otherwise, it'd just stay NASA, with the goal of space research. So...just what are we developing for our new Space Force??? Are we witnessing the beginning of Star Wars?

Ever since the favorable initial launch of a drone, it is becoming more and more clear that having pilotless planes to do battle are hugely advantageous. We build super sophisticated fighter jets, but their incredible maneuvers are limited to a pilots' ability to withstand incredible G-Forces as well as fatigue and vertigo. It is why most newer fighters like the F-35 and newer versions of the F18 Super Hornet and the F15EX can be flown without a pilot if necessary. Even private jets like the 5 passenger family jet, the Cirrus "Vision Jet", has a red button in the ceiling between the front and back seats so that if the pilot had an extreme problem becoming incapacitated, someone in the back seat can push the emergency button and the plane's computer immediately takes over control of the plane, searches for the nearest airport, and communicates with the radio tower, and then automatically safely lands the plane. If it runs out of gas or is crashing, another handle releases a parachute that allows the jet to safely drift to the ground and save the crew. And now with AI, who the hell knows where it's all going

Anyway - hard to keep up with advancing technology, but it is interesting

If I ever win the lottery, I'm going to get my pilot's license and get me one of those Vision Jets. I am fascinated with them. They take "smart technology" to a whole new level

[Bob In PA]

I'll take a stab at the purpose of the X-37B... to put a small group of (fill in the blank) into space, out of danger, for an extended period of time in the event of a terrestrial disaster of some sort (fill in the blank). Bob

[LennG]

Whatever the case, it is the most highly secretive project going right now (probably other projects that are just as secretive...I don't know)

If you knew then it wouldn't be a secret anymore.          

[Sem]

Vandenberg SFB is about 20 miles, as the crow flies, from our house. They've stepped up launches lately to about one per week.