A photo from open sources
In the United States, a program to create a military satellite.
Non-cosmic space
The exploration of outer space by man, besides scientific, also had a military purpose. Recall that the rocket itself was primarily created as a means delivery of warhead to enemy territory. Filling first was ammotol (FAA), then nuclear. In addition to satellites performing purely scientific program, spacecraft are launched annually into space, collecting intelligence information. And it’s naive to think that military interests do not extend beyond launch spy satellites.
A satellite constantly hanging in space with a missile pointing at a definite goal is the blue dream of the military. Rocket launch from orbit with labor is fixed by existing surveillance systems. Time approach to the target is reduced to a few minutes. No missile defense will have time to react. International Treaty of October 10, 1967 prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons and WMD in space. But only naive believes that work on the development of space weapons is not are underway.
Back in the 60s of the XX century, projects were developed in the USA and the USSR on the creation of space warships (Dyna-Soar – USA, “Spiral” – USSR). The Shuttle and Buran projects were also not limited to scientific goals. In the 1990s due to a change in the geopolitical situation many military space programs were frozen. But not closed.
X-37B Space Interceptor
US unmanned space program reusable ship X-37B launched in 1999. The project was supervised, as usual, by NASA. But in 2004 for the program the US Department of Defense put its paw and all the information: about the goals project, on equipment installed on the drone, technical details, volumes of financing, etc. have become classified. What is an X-37V? Little information, but it is.
A photo from open sources
The device is a shuttle, reduced by 4 times. Mass 5 t, length about 9m, wingspan 4.5m. To put into orbit an Atlas-5 launch vehicle is used. Drone capable independently enter orbit and land.
X-37V differs from conventional satellites by its ability to quickly change orbit and increased maneuverability, which is absolutely not necessary peaceful vehicles. In essence, the X-37B is a space interceptor, capable of attacking any object in space (satellite or space station) and get away from surveillance and pursuit.
Has a 1.2X2.1m compartment. When placing W88 warheads in it (1.75×0.5m) easily turns into an elusive space bomber. Able to “take” another device from orbit, “hang” it in a neighboring orbit or delivered to Earth (i.e. take “language”).
Star Wars is getting more real
X-37V has already traveled to space three times: in 2010 (225 days), in 2011 (468 days), 2012-2014 (674 days). Upon return satellite in October 2014 from the third flight, the official U.S. Air Force spokesman says drone fully complied the planned program and in 2015 will go into space in the 4th time.
Pentagon representatives, without revealing what tasks it solves project X-37B, do not tire of declaring exclusively peaceful purposes programs. Military experts believe the opposite: space that was before addition, relatively peaceful, the US is already seen as a field of future fights.
The challenge is thrown. Will have to answer.
Posted by: Klim Podkova
US missiles
