I don't know if anyone saw the recent articles in relation to the US military spaceplane the X-37B but thought this might interest poeple:

http://www.space.com/14163-secret-x37b-space-plane-spying-china.html

So any ideas people, if not the chinese just who would warrent extending the mission of an experimental vehicle indefinately?

Interesting read. 

How about Richard Branson realizing there might be profit in it and making some kind of business where he gets paid to take supplies into space? (Given enough time)

What the world needs is a coming together of all countries with space know-how and technology, I know we have said it before but until then mans true potential in to space probably wont be met.

Me I just hope we move forward more in my lifetime and I get to see some very cool things, maybe a manned mission to Mars.   

I second that, of course I suspect Branson is looking ahead to a space hotel and Virgin Galactic being on the shop floor to do the shuttle runs.

I honestly can't see him making all this effort just for the sake of taking a few wealthy people on a joy-ride

Hopefully it's a clever 'boot strapping' business.
It's impossible to afford everything at once so you do it in small, profitable, steps. Each one paying for the next.

This thread may be interesting.
http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/new-technology-science-etc/what-is-going-to-happen-to-the-space-station/msg470/#msg470

A few articles on the space hotel theme:

http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/life/russians-unveil-space-hotel-678591

And:

http://www.spacefuture.com/tourism/hotels.shtml

And last for now:

http://www.bigelowaerospace.com/

I found this website that follows on nicely to the previous articles in this thread:

http://www.spacefuture.com/vehicles/designs.shtml

Some interesting vehicles on here

I hope to get a seat on one of those commercial transporting craft, I always wanted to go into space
Hopefully admission is cheap enough, before my time runs out.

So the US have launced the 3rd mission of this experimental spaceplane:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20680253

Still very hush hush, seems slightly coincidental that North Korea have just allegedly put a satillite up wouldn't you say......

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20690338

You're only paranoid if they're not talking about you!

Very poor trajectory to get a satallite into orbit. Most go with the Earths spin so save fuel and get the same orbital speed.
Ok for a polar orbit I guess or so as to not spook the USA too much.

N.Korea still has to know that if it sends a nuke anywhere, it will get flatened by everyone. Maybe with the exception of the Chinese but I can't see them intervening.

According to the article the US confrimed that an object was put into space, although this appears to really be nothing more than a missile test to be fair.

Another article on the X-37B

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20121123-secrets-of-us-military-spaceplane

Disclaimer: May not be availble to UK taxpayers even though they pay the TV license which funds the BBC and this website   

This is part of what we get on the .com pages...

Quote
We're sorry but this site is not accessible from the UK as it is part of our international service and is not funded by the licence fee. It is run commercially by BBC Worldwide, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the BBC, the profits made from it go back to BBC programme-makers to help fund great new BBC programmes. You can find out more about BBC Worldwide and its digital activities at www.bbcworldwide.com.

So how come the rest of the world can view it for free?

no idea snowy!

Have you considered the possibility of using a U.S. proxy server to view the page? I do it when you blokes post "UK only" content.

Good idea, Dave.

I'm just getting all indignant about not being able to see BBC worldwide pages. I get content for that country only stuff but content for every country except where the site is owned?
Just stamping my feet up and down in a rage against the machine sort of way that I know is futile but I'm going to do it anyway. GRRRR.