The Air Force’s second X-37B reusable spaceplane, OTV-2, is now at Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., as preparations continue for its maiden space launch scheduled for March 4. Spaceflight Now reports that OTV-2’s on-orbit activities will be classified much like the inaugural flight of its predecessor, Orbital Test Vehicle 1, which returned to Earth on Dec. 3 after 224 days in space. Like OTV-1, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will carry OTV-2 into space inside its nosecone. OTV-2 arrived at Cape Canaveral in early January; its mating with the Atlas V is scheduled for late February, according to the report. USAF officials don’t expect to make any major changes to OTV-2 based on post-mission inspections of OTV-1. The latter blew a tire upon landing at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., but otherwise held up well to the rigors of space travel. Boeing built both X-37 vehicles.
Airman 1st Class Marcus White-Allen concocted a story to cover up that he fired his M18 9mm pistol into Airman Braden Lovan’s chest killing him on July 20, two Airmen from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, WY testified during separate courts martial proceedings on Oct. 30-31.
