Everything We Know About The US Air Force's Secret Space Plane - The X-37B

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Published 2019-10-30

For the last 10 years the US Air Force has been flying a small reusable space plane designated the X-37B, carrying out classified missions in low Earth orbit. This of course makes it something of a magnet for crazy conspiracy theories suggesting it's a weapons platform or it's changing the weather. However it was always pitched as a reusable platform to perform extended experiments in space starting back when it was a joint project with NASA. But NASA left the project after developing new flight control sensors and algorithms, because the purpose of the final product largely replicated capabilities already offered by the Space Station.

The DoD had similar testing requirements with the extra constraint of keeping the hardware and tests classified, so, the X-37B offers them this capability.

Photos of X37B in space by Ralph Vandebergh
twitter.com/ralfvandebergh

All Comments (21)

@samrobinson9110 4 years ago

"Exposing new experimental materials to space" [+5 Science ]
@spaceenthusiast7160 4 years ago

If it would have been carried to orbit with the space shuttle, we would literally be launching space planes using space planes.
@alonespirit9923 4 years ago

Did the Air Force "See the error of their ways" or did they smile and say, "Alright, now that THEY have done the testing and risked THEIR reputations, money, time, and hardware ..."
@jamesbarker5254 4 years ago

I've just discovered this channel and I can't stop watching. I'm thoroughly impressed with the knowledge given in each video.
@justanotherboog3497 4 years ago

The X37b re-entered near my house and the boom woke me up from a dead sleep.
@rocketmaster47 3 years ago

First tested at Holloman AFB August 11th, 1998 at 0659. THEN moved to Edwards AFB. I could tell you way more but would take up a page. I am the Senior NCO who developed the ground handling techniques used for launch and recovery up until the actual test release. It landed 13 feet left of centerline and corrected to within 7 feet. Our team won the Stellar Award for that test. (and it was 85% scale to the follow on X-37)
@panda4247 4 years ago

2:07 that landing gear deploying look so toy-ish
@SVSky 4 years ago

X-37, the only aircraft whose glide ratio could make the space shuttle look like an ASK-21 sailplane.
@MegaAndroyd 4 years ago

Was just reading about this on this news. At the same time thinking where is my Scott Manley video on this.
@AcousticallyYours 4 years ago

You’re “Da Man!” Scott, producing and publishing a YouTube video during a power outage...nothing stops you, eh??
@Mamiya645 4 years ago

Meanwhile on the surface: Roomba gets stuck in a corner.
@superbun277 4 years ago

"Everything We Know About The USAF's Secret Space Plane" The CIA would like to know your location
@mybackhurts7020 4 years ago

Bet they stole somebody’s satellite😄
@vic365 4 years ago

Excellent explanation! Thank you for keeping the channel so resilient even during the power outage.
@Alexander_Sannikov 4 years ago

5:38 man, that single offset engine looks really unsettling for some reason.
@Mahar4ja 4 years ago

2:20 the way the landing gear just pops open on the x40 is so hilarious
@steveo6034 4 years ago

I love these videos that follow the X-37B mysterious space vehicle down the speculative rabbit hole and kick around the topic of what it might be doing up there! As usual Scott, excellent video! 🚀🚀🚀
@kingjames4886 4 years ago

carbon carbon, eh? it's twice as carbonous as plain old every day carbon.
@plauze82 4 years ago

It is so extremely classified that you can only find it on Youtube. ^^
@robertschlesinger1342 4 years ago

Very interesting and informative video. Great video, Scott!