See secret X-37B space plane in orbit

William Atkins
Tuesday, 25 May 2010 23:38

Science - Space

The U.S. Air Force’s X-37B space plane has been seen by amateur satellite watchers as it orbits in a secret altitude above Earth. And, you can see it, too, when it flies over your local night sky, But, don't tell anyone ... it's a secret!

 

The unmanned X-37B space plane is similar in appearance to the NASA space shuttle, only smaller in size. However, you’ll only see it shining in the night sky similar to a medium bright star.

According to SpaceWeather.com, it was seen on Sunday night, May 23, 2010 by an amateur satellite watcher located in Fort Davis, Texas. He is identified as “Gary O.”

Gary O. states, “This was my first chance to photograph the X-37B. It was easy to see. I estimate its magnitude at about +2.8."

Previous to this sighting, according to SpaceWeather.com, the X-37B mini-space-shuttle-like space plane was independently seen (on May 20, 2010) by amateur satellite watchers Greg Roberts, from Cape Town, South Africa, and Kevin Fetter, from Brockville, Canada.

Their collective data helped Ted Molczan, of Toronto, Canada, who determined the secret space plane’s orbit.

On May 21, 2010, he provided the a video of the X-37B, along with the third-magnitude star Sadalsuud, a part of the constellation Aquarius. See it on the SpaceWeather.com website.

 

Page two continues.