X-37B RTB!!

[TLAM Strike]

http://defensenews.com/story.php?i=5176376&c=AME&s=TOP

The USAF's experimental (and apparently armored) space drone comes home after 270 days in orbit.

Test flight called a success despite a tire blow out on landing. There were signs of 7 impacts with space debris/ (or space gun hits? :O: )

A second prototype is under construction. :up:

EDIT: I saw the X-37B fly by with my binoculars months ago. Very cool.

[SteamWake]

Ive always wondered about the tires. After so many days in deep space why arent they frozen solid?

[razark]

Ive always wondered about the tires. After so many days in deep space why arent they frozen solid?
The material they're made from is designed for that event?
They have preheaters to thaw them?
They redirect some heat from the reentry to warm the tires?

I imagine there's several ways they could go about it.

[GoldenRivet]

Space shuttle tires are filled with Nitrogen due to the fact that it leaks at a slower rate than air if the tire is punctured and it also reacts differently to extreme cold and heat.