Shuttle Scout: Not so scary
A month ago, when the Pentagon tested a new unmanned spacecraft, the darkest assumptions about its purpose arose - we covered these events in the article “Secret Shuttle”. ” Since then, expert opinions have by no means become more balanced, to the extent that it has come to the hypothesis that the X-37В is a prototype of an “orbital bomber” or a warship to destroy an enemy satellite constellation, presumably using a laser installation.
Of course, particular concern was shown by the leadership of our army. During the time that has passed since then, several generals have already made statements that Russia urgently needs its own space mission. weapon. But the reality, apparently, is much more prosaic. Experts from the Secure World Foundation, who are engaged in the peaceful uses of space, presented their own analysis of the scant information about the shuttle and its flight, which has become available to the public. In their opinion, the X-37B is just another orbital reconnaissance device.
It is known that shuttles were used more than once to deliver reconnaissance satellites to orbit. But these reusable ships are being decommissioned - and now is the time for their more modern version, unmanned, not so massive and expensive, but also reusable. According to the experts of Secure World, in orbit such a platform, equipped with the necessary sensors and equipment, will be able to remain for weeks or even months. The versatility of the cargo compartment allows you to use the X-37B as the basis for a variety of reconnaissance vehicles, without the need to develop a platform every time. And his ability to maneuver will help quickly change the area of observation, if necessary.
One of the experts of the fund, a former employee of the US Air Force Space Command Brian Weeden (Brian Weeden), explains: “Imagine that hostilities began in some corner of the world. The command operating in it requires a particularly dense coverage of search and reconnaissance satellites. Then it’s enough to load X-37В with the necessary equipment - and put it into the required orbit ”.
Other uses of the X-37W are considered by Weden to be “much less likely.” For example, the version that the device is designed to repair satellites (or any direct manipulations with them, including those with enemy vehicles) is unlike the truth, if only because, according to Weiden, the X-37В cargo compartment will not fit most of the components used today in military satellites.
He considers the version of the “orbital bomber” even more incredible. Weiden writes: “Weapons thrown out of his cargo compartment must be equipped with powerful boosters (for de-orbiting and driving on a target) that would be very difficult to place in this small volume.” Moreover, at the time of descent from X-37В orbit, it will be a not-too-fast and not at all maneuverable target, easy prey for many modern air defense systems.
However, the appearance of X-37В itself is a remarkable fact and not very joyful. He clearly says that the militarization of space continues. No matter what kind of mission the apparatus undertakes, the share of the “military” in orbit increases, the rest of the space powers are also more and more interested in such combat tools - and it remains to be hoped that the proportion of peaceful vehicles will grow faster.
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