Launched Again: USAF Secret Mini Space Shuttle

Posted on Tuesday, 12.11.12

Air Force sends mystery mini-shuttle back to space

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/11/3137214/air-force-sends-mystery-mini-shuttle.html#storylink=cpy

This April 5, 2010 photo made available by the U.S. Air Force via NASA shows the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle at the Astrotech facility in Titusville, Fla. Half of the Atlas V five-meter fairing is in the background. On Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, the Air Force launched the top-secret, unmanned mini-space shuttle from Cape Canaveral, Fla. U.S. Air Force via NASA / AP Photo

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/11/3137214/air-force-sends-mystery-mini-shuttle.html#storylink=cpy

By MARCIA DUNN

AP Aerospace Writer

 

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The military's small, top-secret version of the space shuttle rocketed into orbit Tuesday for a repeat mystery mission, two years after making the first flight of its kind.

The Air Force launched the unmanned spacecraft Tuesday hidden on top of an Atlas V rocket.

It's the second flight for this original X-37B spaceplane. It circled the planet for seven months in 2010. A second X-37B spacecraft spent more than a year in orbit.

More - Link >>> http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/11/3137214/air-force-sends-mystery-mini-shuttle.html

Sources: Associated Press, The Miami Herald.

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