America’s Space Fighter: New Threat to Humanity

[unhappycamper]

Takungpao, Hong Kong
By Zhengyan Fang
Translated By Daniel Kuey
5 May 2010
Edited by Alex Brewer

In the film, “Star Wars,” fighter spacecraft do battle in space. This may soon come to pass. An American Air Force space fighter listed as top secret is currently being tested. The pilotless X-37B fighter took its maiden test flight into space from Florida. The challenge is that the X-37B is not simply a reusable space fighter; it is America’s secret weapon. And it can attack any target on the globe within two hours. This is more dangerous than a nuclear warhead!

~snip~

Not long ago, the U.S. developed the X-37B, the world’s first space fighter to be successfully launched into space. The Atlas 5 rocket carried out this launch mission. In a war, the X-37B would have the ability to carry out military operations against satellites of enemy countries and their aircraft. This would include controlling, seizing or destroying enemy aircraft, as well as carrying out military reconnaissance against enemies and so forth. With its mission accomplished, the intention is for it to glide back to land automatically. The X-37B is not suited for an astronaut. It carries out many types of missions automatically in air and space.

The U.S. air force refused to reveal what missions were carried out during the maiden flight of the X-37B. At present, after the X-37B launches, it enters into earth’s orbit, but it is undetermined for how long. After returning from space, the X-37B will enter auto-pilot mode to return to earth by finally landing at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California or, as a backup, the nearby Edwards Air Force Base.

Though only a small aircraft, the X-37B space plane is a U.S. military secret at the highest level, although the U.S. military has repeatedly stressed that the main purpose for manufacturing the X-37B is scientific research. Yet once exposed, the X-37B project could raise violent responses. Some military experts call it “the first prototype space fighter." This project has a clear military purpose and may further exacerbate the militarization of space.

For instance, the X-37B may strike or interfere with satellites, because it is equipped with a robotic arm for seizing satellites, as well as spreading electromagnetic interference and disabling a satellite’s normal functions. In addition, it can place into its payload bay all kinds of cargo and weapons, and it can carry out long-range precision strikes.

[Deep13]

1. Still don't see how it is worse than a nuclear warhead. nt

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. it is not.

Unless it carries one.

[Johonny]

6. well it would violate international treaties if it flew with a warhead

other than that? It's a made up FEAR article base on speculation and fantasy. Be afraid.

[Statistical]

3. " can attack any target on the globe within two hours. This is more dangerous than a nuclear warhead

Um ICBM had hit a target anywhere in the world in about 40 minutes and can destroy entire cities.

Sea launch ballistic missiles equipped with nuclear warheads from a boomer in the right location can reduce transit time to 1/3 of that.

Now seeing how this reusable spacecraft is more dangerous.

[NeedleCast]

4. Why a picture of a B-52 in the OP?

What does a B-52 have to do with this (poor) article?

How is a small aircraft apparently designed to attack enemy command/control/communication assets worse than a nuclear strike?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. the hypership is launched from a B-52.

It reaches 500+ mph, then is boosted to a faster speed by disposable rockets, then finally uses its internal engine to reach incredible speeds.

[NeedleCast]

7. Cool

As much as I support cuts in defense spending, that's kinda cool.

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. Except that this isn't about a 'hypership'; it's about a 'space fighter', launched on an Atlas 5

as the article states. Uncharacteristically, unhappycamper has confused the X37-B with the X-51, which was launched this week (as opposed to the X-37B, launched last month).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=8428482

[ChairmanAgnostic]

10. True, but they also launched a hypersonic unmanned craft

from a B-52 this week. It reached hypersonic speeds (in english, REALLY REALLY FAST, like laying 5 regular Machs head to toe) for 200 seconds of controlled flight.

At around 4,000 miles per hour, that means it traveled 200 miles every three minutes, or a little more than a mile each and every second.

The really cool thing about a hypersonic plane is it has almost no moving parts for its engine. The ramjet technology is basically a tube into which fuel is spewed, then ignited by the compression of the incoming air.


However you measure it, that is pretty damned fast.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

13. but you'd think that a small nuke could easily fit on the hypership.

[backscatter712]

14. I thought the X-37B was launched on a conventional rocket.

There is a point - the X-37B is the Air Force's baby, is good for multiple uses - the Air Force isn't saying what the X-37B is carrying in its payload bay, though people are speculating right now it's got spy satellite sensors.

I'd guess it's also good for anti-satellite weapons - if we mix it up with another superpower, we'll probably use this and other systems to shoot down their spy satellites.

[Imajika]

8. Somehow I don't think it is more dangerous...

...than a nuclear warhead.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

11. LOL

Shit is cash.

[FLPanhandle]

12. The biggest threat to humanity is our population numbers.

This is nothing.