Deep Dives | Wikileaks Archive | The X-37B and the New Space Arms Race
Introduction
https://wikileaks.org/hackingteam/emails/emailid/129018
The email being shared between members of the Hacking Team contains the work of
Subrata Ghoshroy who's research article The X-37B: Backdoor weaponization of space? was first published in the Bulletin of of Atomic Sciences on May 1st, 2015 (Vol 71, Issue 3, pp. 19 - 29).
http://bos.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/04/08/0096340215581360.full
The X-37B
On October 17th, 2014, a mysterious craft touched down at Vandenberg Airforce Base in Southern California capping off an extended secret mission that lasted almost two full years.
Launched in December of 2012 attached to an Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral, the X-37B unmanned space vehicle was originally scheduled to spend 270 days in low-Earth orbit conducting unspecified space related research.
Very little is known about the X-37B’s recent mission or any activities it engaged in, however the remotely controlled spacecraft spent 674 days in orbit, 300 days longer than scheduled.
The US Air Force (USAF) has provided information pertaining to the types of technologies involved in testing. These technologies include:
advanced guidance, navigation, and control; thermal protection systems; high temperature structures and seals; lightweight electromechanical flight systems; and autonomous orbital flight, reentry, and landing.
https://wikileaks.org/hackingteam/emails/emailid/129018
Initially, the X-37B was part of a joint program between NASA and the Department of Defense known as the X-37 project. This project also produced the X-37C, a transport vehicle capable of transporting astronauts and cargo to low-Earth orbit.
The main objective of the X-37B project was to develop reusable launch systems for space missions. Reusable craft have numerous advantages in that they significantly reduce cost while they also increase the reliability and speed of missions.
As we can see from this diagram, the X-37B craft is considerably smaller than the space shuttles NASA had in service for decades.
Although it is launched vertically from a launchpad, when this remotely operated vehicle returns to the ground it lands horizontally on an airstrip, like an airplane. Therefore, the vehicle can be thought of as a hybrid of spacecraft and aircraft. It can withstand the vacuum of space and maneuver there, yet it has wings that give the X-37B aerodynamic lift once it reenters the Earth’s atmosphere—allowing it to descend and land, gliding back home just like the space shuttle. The wings also help it to brake.
Ever since the X-37B touched down at Vandenberg air force base back in 2014, there’s been mounting speculation that the program’s true nature is to provide a stage to test space weapons technologies.
Through the X-37B program, the Air Force is gathering data on the travel of objects at extremely high speeds and developing cutting-edge space technologies that allow those objects to navigate and be controlled remotely over long distances. It is able to field-test on the very edge of space the latest thermal protection systems, high-temperature structures and seals, and lightweight electromechanical flight systems, which are part of what allows the craft to glide stealth-like to the ground. All of these features are vital for engaging what the military calls “time sensitive” targets in “anti-access/area-denial” environments—or, in plain English, for using high-speed missiles in counter-terrorism operations or for overcoming antimissiles. At such speeds, an enemy may barely have the time to detect an incoming missile on a radar screen before being destroyed.
https://wikileaks.org/hackingteam/emails/emailid/129018
Due to funding shortages, NASA was forced to remove itself from the X-37 project and eventually the research became a black project under the name X-37B as it was first relocated to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and eventually being integrated into the Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office.
While private companies such as Space-X have made noticeable improvements towards achieving the goal of reusable rockets and spacecraft, there still remain definite hurdles. However, recent successful launches and landings by its Falcon rockets suggest that Space-X may be on the verge of accomplishing their goal of creating a reliable reusable rocket.
Hypersonic Propulsion
Another serious hurdle in producing viable reusable spacecraft is that these vehicles must be able to fly at “high hypersonic” speeds. Meaning, a craft must be devised that can handle re-entry speeds of about 17,500 mph / 28,164 km/h aka Mach 25. This is a formidable challenge since the world’s fastest fighter jets, such as the Russian MiG-31, are only able to reach “super sonic” speeds of Mach 2. In order to withstand the extreme heat and frictions experienced in reentry of the Earth’s atmosphere, prospective spacecraft require protective layers of specialty metals and alloys.
Knowledge gained from the experimental mission of the X-37B regarding hypersonic speeds, extreme temperatures and reentry technologies for peaceful space uses can easily be applied to more ominous programs such as the development of hypersonic missiles.
The USAF has been forthcoming in their interest in developing hypersonic capabilities with the Under Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning stating in 2015 that the USAF has spent over $100 billion in over the last 16 years towards “cutting-edge space technologies”.
High on the list of leading-edge or “game changing technologies” are hypersonic capabilities. David E. Walker of the US House Armed Services Committee is reported to have elaborated on the US governments desire to develop such capabilities.
Walker said that getting objects to travel at super-high speed provides options for engaging “time sensitive” targets in “anti-access/area-denial” environments.
…
Walker also said that the Air Force is interested in developing a hypersonic cruise missile called the High Speed Strike Weapon (HSSW). For it to mature, several crucial technologies must be developed. Among them are materials that can withstand high temperatures; guidance, navigation, and control systems that work at hypersonic speeds; and thermal protection and heat management—the very same technologies being developed under the guise of the X-37B.
https://wikileaks.org/hackingteam/emails/emailid/129018
Certainly, there are numerous tactical advantages for developing hypersonic weapons, particularly missiles. Chief among them is the ability to surprise an enemy by launching projectiles at extreme velocities capable of covering long distances and of reaching their targets in a short period of time.
Bombs dropped form aircraft typically reach speeds of 700 to 800 mph / 1200 to 1300 km/h but with boost-glide systems (eg. A rocket traveling at Mach 5 mounted with a projectile) could launch their payload gliding over long distances and reentering the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds. Enemy targets will likely be caught completely off guard, have almost no chance establishing radar contact or to deploy any missile defense systems.
As the title of Subrata Ghoshroy’s research article The X-37B: Backdoor weaponization of space? found in the Wikileaks archives suggests, experiments involving the X-37B could be a precursor to a modern day Star Wars program.
Hypersonic Weapons
In March 2018, the Telegraph reported on the unveiling of advanced weapons systems by Russian president Vladimir Putin. In particular, the article states that the Russian military has developed the world’s first known hypersonic missile, the “Kinzhal” or Dagger.
The missile appears to be a heavily modified version of Russia's Iskander short-range ballistic missiles, which are nuclear-capable. It is launched from the air by a MiG-31 fighter jet.
…
When the weapon is dropped from the plane, it is already in thin air and traveling at high speeds. After separating from the plane, Kinzha's engine ignites to propel it to 10 times the speed of sound.
The above images are taken from footage released by the Russian Defense Ministry that apparently showcase the use of boost-glide weapons. Already flying at supersonic speeds, the MiG-31 launches the Kinzhal in mid-flight. It's estimated that the Kinzhal has a range of 2000 km has been given the nickname the "aircraft carrier killer".
The Telegraph article describes how the US, China and Russia were all racing to develop hypersonic weapons technology but the Russians surprised everyone releasing footage of the a successful test launch of the Kinzhal missile.
Along with the disclosure of the Kinzhal missile, other hypersonic and also a new class of nuclear weapons have also been revealed by Russia. President Putin has stated that the development of next generation missiles comes as a response to the US having dropped out of the Anit-Ballistic Missile treaty (ABM) in 2002. At the time, both Russian and China were highly critical of Washington's move towards a renewed arms race.
On top of the boost-glide weaponry, Russia also revealed that the Russian Navy is developing the Zircon, another near-hypersonic missile that is said to be extremely agile, able to reach Mach 5 and scheduled for incorporation by 2020. The Zircon uses what is known as a “scramjet” (air-breathing) engine capable of performing at extreme velocities.
DARPA Weapons Develpment
Not to be outdone, the American military has also been actively developing their own hypersonic weapons. DARPA's X-51 A Waverider is an experimental scramjet based missile said to have reached near hypersonic speeds of about Mach 5. At these fantastic speeds the Waverider would be able to arrive at any target worldwide within an hour.
Valuable flight data and insight gained from the X-37B’s secret missions inevitably feeds into other government programs. Something else that DARPA has been actively pursuing state of the art satellite technology for geostationary space.
Meanwhile, DARPA is moving on to the next stage: exploring technologies for autonomous operations in geostationary orbit 22,500 miles above the Earth, where most communication satellites reside. In a formal Request for Information released on September 3, 2014, DARPA sought industry aid and advice on developing a “robotic servicer” designed for operating at that altitude. DARPA envisions a servicer that could inspect satellites, carry out repair missions, or assist satellites in orbit-change maneuvers (DARPA, 2014).
While benign-sounding on the surface, a robotic servicer that can carry out repairs or assist satellites could easily threaten the geostationary satellites of other nations. (A geostationary satellite moves in the same direction as the Earth at exactly the same speed, thus making it able to hover over a given spot on the ground indefinitely). Such operations would be particularly dangerous, because even an accidental collision could cause a shower of debris that endangers everything else at that altitude—and would effectively last forever.
https://wikileaks.org/hackingteam/emails/emailid/129018
In the same vein, the Chinese have also been testing anti-satellite technologies and have conducted tests with so-called "satellite catchers" in 2007 and 2013. The Chinese insist that the satellite technology that their testing is designed to remove space debris from Earth's orbit. Space debris also reaches hypersonic speeds while orbiting the earth and could annihilate spacecraft or satellites in a collision. Despite China's assurances many believe that the satellite catchers explanation is a yet another example of covert space weaponization.
A New Arms Race in Space
It's not difficult to see that a new arms race is well underway. This new arms race extends beyond our planets atmosphere involving next generation spacecraft and hypersonic weapons reminiscent of the Regan area Star Wars program.. It's entirely possible that space has already been secretly weaponized, if not, it certainly appears that the world is once again speeding towards this nightmarish future.
Nevertheless, there's still hope that the weaponization of space can be prevented. The UN has developed a proposal called PAROS (Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space):
Under the draft of the PAROS treaty submitted to the United Nations, participating countries would pledge to refrain from placing objects carrying any type of weapon into orbit, from installing weapons on celestial bodies, and from threatening to use force against objects in outer space. They would also agree to practice measures to build confidence in commitments to refrain from weaponizing space.
https://wikileaks.org/hackingteam/emails/emailid/129018
The United States has shown little interest towards any binding international agreements on a ban of weapons in space, perhaps believing that the US will continue to enjoy technological supremacy in a new arms race. This may indeed be the case, but as we've seen the Russians have surprised the world by divulging information on their advanced hypersonic missile programs.
The dangers posed by space weaponization and warfare are numerous. There are no winners in this high stakes arms race, everyone loses. But perhaps the country that stands to lose the most is the United States which possesses almost half of all the satellites in orbit, 512 total. With command of 159 military satellites, the United States has more than the total number of Russian satellites with 135 and 116 of the Chinese variety.
Even a minor space battle could result in the near-Earth heavens being littered with debris, rendering them uninhabitable for all satellites.
https://wikileaks.org/hackingteam/emails/emailid/129018
Additional Sources
https://wikileaks.org/gifiles/docs/16/1645957_re-ct-us-secret-nro-spy-satellite-launches-into-orbit-.html
https://wikileaks.org/gifiles/docs/80/804666_chn-china-asia-pacific-.html
https://wikileaks.org/gifiles/docs/19/198770_-os-us-space-mil-tech-usaf-extends-x-37b-space-plane-s.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scramjet
http://atomicarchive.com/History/coldwar/page20.shtml
http://www.thesleuthjournal.com/china-launches-technology-capable-destroying-us-military-satellites-video/
Note: I'm not in contention for any of the prizes from the challenge, this entry is just my contribution this week towards building a body of research on the blockchain.
Interesting stuff as always v4vapid! I would like to write a comment that is aimed at those of us who are engaged in this kind of research and are feeling fear or are very worried about where things may be going in the world.
Whilst i can see the value of bringing the truth out, i know that some people don't have a way to stay out of the fear zone .. and it really can be too much for some to handle. This can have many consequences, including having a quite warped perspective of what is happening because we are not really sure what is true and what is a theory ..
Also there is always the question of what can we do, past bringing this information out, that can really make a difference.. SO to address this i would like to share 2 points that may bring some comfort and a way to really make a difference to the unfoldment of our times..
You can read more about this here:
2.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/ufo/8026971/Aliens-have-deactivated-British-and-US-nuclear-missiles-say-US-military-pilots.html
This alone might bring some comfort to many people, but I would also like to share something we can all do here and now that can shift the present and future reality that we move to very powerfully. It is all related to the inner technology of the divine matrix. This is something that science is now starting to grasp and there is plenty of evidence to show that it can have powerful effects.
You can read more about this using the link below, but the simple act that we can do is to simply feel the feeling of peace on earth already having happened. You can simply spend a few minutes each day or week holding that feeling in your heart, ...that there is great peace on earth and all wars are over. The most important thing is to feel as though this has already happened.
When enough of us can hold this space, we can literally manifest this through the power of thought and feeling, which creates a powerful emotional force of change. This not only helps the world, but also really does help us to feel that peace inside and reduce our fears.. which alone can contribute to the problem!
If you would like to read more about this and even see this happen in a miraculous short video please do check this post out.
https://steemit.com/ecotrain/@eco-alex/watch-the-quantum-healing-of-a-cancer-tumor-in-less-than-3-minutes-using-the-inner-technology-of-emotion-the-divine-matrix-is
Let us not forget that conspiracy goes both ways, and to those of you who do worry or are very deep into this work, please do remember these points.. We are not alone, and we are more powerful than we can really imagine!
<3
That’s some next level stuff Alex. Tripp’s to say the least. It is a good idea to hold onto something though, whatever it may be, as the feeling of hopelessness can be dangerous and cause a person to become apathetic to things they can make a difference in. The mind is a powerful thing and we really are just scratching the surface with its potential
Beautiful comment! Really happy u totally get it
Thanks @eco-alex, I've certainly heard about this phenomenon before. It would be nice to know that higher beings wouldn't let us destroy our own planet. But, surely we need to take the lead as a species and ban the development of weapons that could wipe us all out! I mean, there have been nearly 2,500 nuclear devices tested all around the world since the 1940s and those weren't stopped by UFOs. So what are we to make of this?
Totally agree! This comment is aimed at reducing fear.. there are many who are very scared about things so this is a gift for them... as well as a call to action that can really bring change
I'm going to have to disagree with you regarding banning weapons.
First, it's impossible. Tech is born of physics, and trying to ban physics won't work. Weapons will be made, because people want them and physics makes them possible.
Second, it's contrary to the interests of individuals to ban tech. Technology inevitably empowers individuals more than groups. Pointy sticks made an individual so armed able to defeat groups of thugs. Guns do this better, and higher tech always does a better job.
Since we face armed groups intent on being thugs, we need to embrace tech, and better secure our freedom from oppression. Weapons are the way to do this.
The problem has never been that weapons are dangerous, but that thugs are dangerous.
Ban thugs, not the tools we have to prevent them from making us their victims.
Thanks!
I certainly agree that thugs, cabals, criminal orgs. play a major role here but the problem inevitably is that even when a group of thugs is removed from the equation another group of thugs fills the power vacuum. Or people with good intentions in the beginning allow themselves to be corrupted, sort of like Orwell's classic Animal Farm.
I agree that thugs generally are used to control groups of non-thug civilians, and this has been a constant historically.
However, tech changes this. When individuals are possessed of weapons that are potent enough to make oppressing them dangerous enough, thugs seek easier prey. I believe this is why mass murders are almost always inflicted on unarmed people, for example, school shootings.
People are social animals, and our packs have a violence aspect deriving from our biological nature. Evolution is ongoing, and tech is impacting our nature constantly. Some people are becoming more capable of reason. Some are becoming less so.
It is probable that if people don't fiddle with our genes (unlikely!) we'll diverge into multiple species--if we haven't already. Behaviour is often overlooked as a divergence mechanism, but much of it is biologically determined, and related species that could physically interbreed and remain one species may be not doing so because behaviour alone prevents it.
The sad fact of history doesn't need to be the inevitable future, and I am confident that it will not be, although only for those that are capable of learning from it. @r0nd0n occasionally refers to 'recreational nukes' in discussions of rights, and there is a good case for responsible persons having them, because it will keep them safe from violent aggression, and responsible people have no interest in using nukes irresponsibly.
Also, physics. I am pretty confident either nukes themselves, or similar weapons will eventually be trivial to acquire and possess, making prevention of such possession either extraordinarily abusive of any and all freedom, or utterly impossible.
In the likely event we become a spacefaring race, it will be impossible to prevent.
Either we are competent to wield power responsibly, or we are going to go extinct. There is a problem that edge cases will and do exist, and I actually think this is the reason that the prior technically competent civilizations Earth has hosted in the past were destroyed. I note the legends that refer to these kinds of events happening, including the Mahabharata which specifically describes nukes and planes used to deliver them.
I hope we can break free of that cycle, but the extant global political contest does not bode positively in that regard.
The tl;dr is that physics makes stuff possible that people will become able to possess, and I cannot envision a society repressive enough to prevent this from happening that isn't doomed to become tyranny so dire that it will be swiftly and successfully rebelled against.
To answer your last question the bombs that werent stopped didnt give rise to WWIII !
First, it's impossible that space isn't weaponized, as any object that weighs more than a couple kilos is a weapon. All it has to do is fall out of orbit. Controlling that fall creates a weapon that can actually target.
Space is weaponized. Be sure of it.
Second, this is going to become a good thing, eventually. Presently space is only accessible to institutions, such as states, that can afford bleeding edge technology. Just as tech like fire, chipped rocks, and domesticated dogs eventually became ubiquitous amongst the general population and practically free, so will all tech, including the ability to reach and travel in space.
Just like we need personal defense weapons on Earth, we're going to need them wherever we go.
Today, malignant forces control space, and the weapons there. That won't last.
Thanks!
You raise some good points here @valued-customer, we could definitely consider small pieces of space debris traveling as weaponized. I don't actually think that it's possible to keep weapons out of space, to be honest. More important in my eyes is to remove the cover of secrecy surrounding their development and their testing in near Earth orbit that likely puts the entire planet in danger.
When we add the nuclear component to space weaponization it becomes a matter of concern for the entire planet. I see your point about evolving technology going through similar processes, but imho these things never posed a threat to every living thing on the planet.
I also wouldn't mind seeing the trillions being spent on black projects, spent in more productive ways.
Just some thoughts, thanks ;)
I couldn't agree more!
Really wish I would see some real deep dive elements on this post. Right now it's basically reworded articles with little to no actual focused information on the subject. I would love to see more of your understanding on what your typing about and less copied and pasted excerts from other articles.
Nice analysis.
Two points:
Missile Defence systems such as Israel's Arrow III & II, David Sling & Iron Dome & US THAAD etc are getting better much faster than missile avoidance technology can adapt Hypersonic weapons with kinetic energy (non explosive) warheads are ultimately the only way to get through such defensive systems.
While Space Wars might seem a bit scary, wars on the ground are much more scary because people get killed, not just machines. Perhaps its better that the war is won or lost in space and the loser can just surrender without anyone getting killed.
I have observed with keen interest the pace of space weaponisation, the effect of this type of war would affect everyone on Earth. I just heard about PAROS for the first time, it is a welcome development that should be pursued by all parties. They money spent on this space weaponisation should be channelled to other things.
This is both crazy outlandishly frightening and kind of cool. We are like ants who have a limited knowledge of what the giants are doing, but we can only speculate and and try to put pieces of the puzzle together. There is absolutely no way to stop this, is the UN still an organization with any power whatsoever?
On one hand you have the American Military Industrial Complex which has enough funding and power to test what ever sort of projects it wants and then you have the Russians who don't mix words are very public with what they are doing, (whether truthful or not). I think it's only a matter of time before space is weaponized and I have a feeling it will take a cataclysmic event for anything to change.
Awesome research though, this is the first I am hearing of this X37B project
Considering that the X-37B has been photographed and some public information exists, it makes you wonder WHAT ELSE the USAF/DARPA/ US Mil. Ind. Comp. has hidden in their black projects. I'm sure the X37B pales in comparison.
Personally, just knowing that hypersonic weapons exist is a frightening prospect, especially if these missiles can be mounted with nuclear warheads. A web of high-tech weapons surrounding the earth is the last things we need. But, I have to say they most likely already exist under some other black projects we'll never hear about.
Yeah it seems like something out of the avengers series or the “pinky and the brain” cartoon. I guess the only hope would be that this race is used more as a deterrent like that of the Cold War, build up a huge arsenal to deter your enemy from attacking.
On a side note, why are you choosing to not claim rewards? Are you onto something I should know about or just feeling extra community today?
Perhaps the MAD strategy was effective with only 2 nuclear super powers in the game. I don't know about you, but with more countries attaining nuclear capabilities it starts to become more complicated as there's the possibility of framing another country or the introduction of false flag events.
I'm not in the running to win any prizes here as I'm helping to run the contest, as you know. If you're referring to the non-self vote, I'm waiting for others to vote first to help maximizes their curation (I mean, I did spend many hours researching and putting this post together).
Gotcha.
Yeah with more countries being involved in this ‘space race’ it’s possible and maybe even plausible that a false flag is what sparks the next major conflict.
Good work on the project, I’m still looking for something to write about consistently, but haven’t landed on anything. Hopefully some of these deep dives help.
Tip! Hide
Thanks for the Tip, i think that might be my first one ever.
It just dawn on me that the question you were asking was about declining pay on comments, maybe? Anyways, recently @noisy suggested that large sp holders refrain from accepting rewards on comments. So, I'm giving it a go.
Glad I could be the one to pop your TIP cherry.
Ya, was just referring to the comment reward decline
I don't really see why a hypersonic nuke is more scary than a supersonic or subsonic one (or one in a shipping container).
They all wreck your day in the same way when they explode!
The only issue is whether it can penetrate your missile defences.
But seeing as very few countries even have missile defences able to take an normal ICBM, it hardly matters for most people.
I can't really argue with you on this point, they all wreck your day for sure.
A new arms race in space does, however, contribute to further development of nuclear weapons. A tit-for-tat sort of situation. I just feel this increases the chances of accidents in orbit, in the atmosphere and on the ground.
But you're right, it doesn't make much of a difference even if a missile defense system shoots down any rocket, hypersonic or conventional, the result is the same. We either have a nuclear strike on our hands or a nuclear weapon detonated in the atmosphere raining down on us.
From what I know about the issue,the free world(US) has still a big superiority in that field in relation to China or Russia if there is a direct fight....the threat for now are non-kinetic approaches like jamming of satellite-based capabilities such as GPS and communications. By the way, I know it's not related but I challenged you and @jamesc to comedy open mic challenge in my last comedy post about #familyprotection. All the best
Good stuff. Well, at least we all know where all the 'missing' trillions have been going. Black budgets and secret programs are very expensive to run, as well as creating an atmosphere of plausible deniability...
I read of it when the X-37B was launched but the mission was unknown, when it returned back. It was assumed to be another space bus been tested but didn't know there was more beneath it eyes, it was expected as country keeps their secret of the radar.
With technological weaponized race on-going on the planet and outer space. The UN PAROS will hold no water especially to the world powers. The America defense budget might increase by next years so as to beat Russian who has tested their hypersonic weapon.
Looking at the political game being played in Korea, China is fully involve. Reason China have strong ties with the North, when the South and North Korea unites again. China will move for a Asia colony which will further boost their research in making hypersonic nuclear weapon and aircraft which the U.S and UN degree will have not effect and the US will be having no ties with the South. One can perceive the Anti-Satellite is more than what is being produced for. It might be used to disrupt any other satellite frequency used to spy on them especially the U.S satellite.
As the U.S wants supremacy in New Arm Race in Space, Russia will not be left out. What is the U.S doing with 512 satellites. To me, the arm race has been ongoing for year as most of those satellites are with Lensers. The earth suffers this all with debris falling back on it,if war breaks out
The Space Race is relaunched as the Space War. What a time to be alive.