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Takungpao, Hong Kong By Zhengyan Fang Translated By Daniel Kuey 5 May 2010 Edited by Alex Brewer
In the film, “Star Wars,” fighter spacecraft do battle in space. This may soon come to pass. An American Air Force space fighter listed as top secret is currently being tested. The pilotless X-37B fighter took its maiden test flight into space from Florida. The challenge is that the X-37B is not simply a reusable space fighter; it is America’s secret weapon. And it can attack any target on the globe within two hours. This is more dangerous than a nuclear warhead!
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Not long ago, the U.S. developed the X-37B, the world’s first space fighter to be successfully launched into space. The Atlas 5 rocket carried out this launch mission. In a war, the X-37B would have the ability to carry out military operations against satellites of enemy countries and their aircraft. This would include controlling, seizing or destroying enemy aircraft, as well as carrying out military reconnaissance against enemies and so forth. With its mission accomplished, the intention is for it to glide back to land automatically. The X-37B is not suited for an astronaut. It carries out many types of missions automatically in air and space.
The U.S. air force refused to reveal what missions were carried out during the maiden flight of the X-37B. At present, after the X-37B launches, it enters into earth’s orbit, but it is undetermined for how long. After returning from space, the X-37B will enter auto-pilot mode to return to earth by finally landing at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California or, as a backup, the nearby Edwards Air Force Base.
Though only a small aircraft, the X-37B space plane is a U.S. military secret at the highest level, although the U.S. military has repeatedly stressed that the main purpose for manufacturing the X-37B is scientific research. Yet once exposed, the X-37B project could raise violent responses. Some military experts call it “the first prototype space fighter." This project has a clear military purpose and may further exacerbate the militarization of space.
For instance, the X-37B may strike or interfere with satellites, because it is equipped with a robotic arm for seizing satellites, as well as spreading electromagnetic interference and disabling a satellite’s normal functions. In addition, it can place into its payload bay all kinds of cargo and weapons, and it can carry out long-range precision strikes.
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