X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle / Robotic Space Plane

[going_home]

After a decade of development, the Air Force this month plans to launch a robotic spacecraft resembling a small space shuttle to conduct technology tests in orbit and then glide home to a California runway.

The ultimate purpose of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle and details about the craft, which has been passed between several government agencies, however, remain a mystery as it is prepared for launch April 19 from Cape Canaveral, Fla.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100403/ap_on_sc/us_mystery_spacecraft

[chafnerjr]

I just hope they'll let us go space jumping from it!

[MoeMag]

[Frizzle Fry]

It looks like it's made out of spare parts.

$5 says the "mysterious purpose" is a bet between agency heads who said "I betcha I can cut the front off a nuclear sub and make it fly with 3" wings" and "No way, it is SO on."