X-37B - your thoughts?
 

So the sides are being raised about what, exactly, the Air Force has in mind with the X-37B, a so-called "replacement" or some have said "substitution" for the space shuttle.

At 9 meters in length, it's too small to be a shuttle. Others think the little shuttle-like plane will be used as a space-borne weapon. But with NASA scrapping the shuttle, it's hard to say, whether weapon or not, that we should not have a continued presence in space.

Actually, it's a cool little plane. It probably could be used for more than just a weapon, and I bet the Air Force realizes that.

BBC News - X-37B military spaceplane launches from Cape Canaveral

http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_...g_full_600.jpg

Possibly retrieval of satellites needing repair. I don't think it has the size necessary to support crew for EVA or other on-site/in-orbit repair, but I suspect it could pluck them, stow them and bring them here for retrofit and relaunch.

For over 50 years the USAF has wanted a spaceplane mounted on the pointy end of a booster. Google X-20 DynaSoar, cancelled by McNamara. They heavily influenced the design of NASA's space shuttle hoping to get that spaceplane the air force wanted. Finally, they have the spaceplane they wanted, albeit unmanned. It's a cool vehicle. I hope it finds a place in the USAF/NASA space world.

Didn't the Six Million Dollar Man crash in a plane like this, resulting in his being made the "The Six Million Dollar Man?"
http://nickctv.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/sixm.jpg

Northrup M2-F2
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1272044432.jpg