Originally posted by vjp
I read space.com regularly, and I love hearing a good conspiracy theory too (the healthy, rational, fact-based ones, not the "bilderburger" or "freemasonry" nonsense). So when I read this article, it piqued my interest and fired up all sorts of neural pathways trying to figure out what's up.
https://www.space.com/news/nasa_x37_040914.html
...I'm laying bets that the mysterious "classified government entity" is the NRO. Takers? Alternate theories?
"Unmarked helicopters, hovering, uh,
They said it was a weather balloon".
Foo Fighters, from the X-Files CD.
My money says Space Command; the DynaSoar's children are coming home to roost at the Air Force where it all started. They'll handle ops and relegate mission space as required by other agencies.
But THIS part is what I think is the Big News hidden as a small comment:
"Braukus said Scaled Composites would be involved in the X-37 approach and landing demonstrations next year, but could not say whether the Mojave-based company would be using the White Knight or some other aircraft. The B-52 aircraft that NASA normally uses for such drop tests would not be used, a decision made by the agency now in charge of the X-37 program, he said. "The cost analysis favored Scaled Composites," Braukus said."
The government is contracting an experimental space project to a private company. A private company is a cheaper way to space than the government. To me, this says that as of this project, commercial space access is successful. After this, the X-Prize is just gravy, because the point it set out to prove is proven.
Welcome to the future.