The X-37B sits on the runway during post-landing operations. Image Credit: USAF
MOSCOW (RIA Novosti) – Russian researchers are working on an unmanned spacecraft similar in design to the U.S. Air Force’s X-37B, Space Troops chief Oleg Ostapenko said on Thursday.
Currently it is not clear as to how the spaceplane will be used.
“Something has been done along these lines, but as to whether we will use it, only time will tell,” Ostapenko said.
The USAF’s X-37B is first vehicle since NASA’s Space Shuttle that can return payloads to Earth for further inspection and analysis.
Named Orbital Test Vehicle 1 (OTV-1), the X-37B conducted on-orbit experiments for more than 220 days during its maiden voyage.
The U.S. Air Force is preparing to launch the next X-37B in the Spring of 2011 aboard an Atlas V booster.
Copyright 2011 RIA Novosti. All rights reserved. SpacePlex staff writers contributed to the report.
