Analysis

Space Fight — Orbiting Plane Will Bolster US Military Might
The X-37B unmanned space plane. (Image courtesy of NASA)
June 15, 2012
| Security
| The Americas
Summary
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The new space plane built by Boeing is expected to return to earth in the coming days after completing its first mission. But few people know what that mission was. The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) was built solely for use by the U.S. military, and could potentially be used for satellite jamming and kinetic attacks. But it may be used mostly for intelligence purposes, including gathering information on enemy space systems. China’s state-controlled media has reported that the X-37B may have been spying on China’s space station.
The Obama administration’s decision to retire the space shuttle deprived the U.S. Air Force of an operational platform for testing and returning new space systems and sensors. The X-37B could change that, while also supporting Department of Defense efforts to reduce the cost of highly complex satellites. The X-37B could also help counter potential Chinese threats to U.S. space capabilities. 

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