The first air drop of the X-37 experimental spaceship from the White Knight carrier craft was called off April 6 due to high-altitude winds over Edwards Air Force Base in California.

White Knight mothership is designed and operated by Scaled Composites of Mojave, California. The combo departs from the inland spaceport at Mojave.

The X-37 test program is being carried out by the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Space and Intelligence arm of the Boeing Company, with some support from NASA.

DARPA dubs the robotic space plane the Approach and Landing Test Vehicle (ALTV). Overall objectives of the vehicle today are sketchy. However, a key action item is showcasing the ability of the X-37 to glide down to a landing and full-stop at a predetermined point in autonomous mode.

Another drop test attempt is slated for the near future.

• The X-37 Spaceplane to Fly At Mojave Spaceport
• White Knight Prepares For New Mission
• NASA Transfers X-37 Project to DARPA

-- Leonard David

Credit: Alan Radecki