PLN 19

Hope for manned space exploration. The X-37 B OTV is a space shuttle that is 1/4 the size of the original. Developed by Boeing, the X-37 was intended to carry 6 astronauts to and from the space station. Because of its size, the new shuttle would have been more efficient and less costly. Yet, when the decision was made to stop manned space flight, the shuttle was sold to the air force. It has been modified to be an unmanned, reusable craft. Its job is to do research on reusable space vehicle technology. The air force, will not divulge more about the project. The X-37 is scheduled to launch from the cape next month. Why does this matter? It matters because the X-37 may be the new way for the U.S. to reach the stars. Without the X-37, the cancelation of the space shuttle missions would have required us to rely on rides form the Russians. Now, the air force has the ability to pick up where NASA left off. Even though it is intended for research only, the possibility of reconverting it still exists.