Article

2020-05-19 Science & Technology

Space Force launches secretive X-37B space plane back into orbit

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Posted by Skidmark 2020-05-19 00:00|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 Boeing noted the The cost to launch a vehicle into space in 2015 was $5,000 to $10,000 per pound. It then began to work on a reusable space plane which would decrease that expense to as little as a few hundred dollars per pound. It looks as though Boeing has succeeded.

Posted by b 2020-05-19 09:56|| 2020-05-19 09:56|| Front Page Top

#2 Now it's time to build the X-37C...

Posted by M. Murcek 2020-05-19 10:02|| 2020-05-19 10:02|| Front Page Top

#3 RE #1: The Atlas 5 rocket that the X-37 rides in costs over $100 million per launch, is expended and uses Russian main engines. In all, no way a good deal.

In the best case orbit, Atlas 5 costs about $2500/pound to LEO. The X-37 flights cost closer to $10,000/lb since it doesn't use the full capability of the Atlas 5.

Posted by Elmath Thuter1871 2020-05-19 10:33|| 2020-05-19 10:33|| Front Page Top

#4 Atlas replacement using American made engines to be tested in 2021.

Posted by M. Murcek 2020-05-19 11:05|| 2020-05-19 11:05|| Front Page Top

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