Rutan's WhiteKnight used in X-37 tests!!

[holmec]

This is cool.<br /><br />http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/050527_whiteknight_x37.html<br /><br />What I like about this is that since X-37 is a demo platform for new affordable space tech, this may give official credance to acctual air launch space vehicles in the future.<br /><br />Its also nice to see the WhiteKnight being used in a second roll.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[holmec]

Here is an earlier article - last years - it mentions Scaled Compostites to do drop test.<br /><br />http://www.space.com/news/x37_darpa_040915.html<br /><br /> />The B-52 aircraft that NASA normally uses for such drop tests would not be used, a decision made by the agency now in charge of the X-37 program, he said. "The cost analysis favored Scaled Composites," Braukus said.<<br /><br />This is real proof that a specifically built aircraft for air launching is smaller, more cost effective than a modified existing aircraft.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[wvbraun]

Duplicate thread.