X37B Spaceplane Photos Surfacing

[LunaSea]

More detailed photos are being released of the secret Air Force space plane following its latest and longest flight including some landing video.

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/US_Air_Force_Space_Shuttle_X_37B_Finally_Unmasked_999.html

https://www.inverse.com/article/31284-x-37b-air-force-florida-space

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. What kind of stuff is involved that requires full hazmat suits with their own oxygen?

Even in the open air?

[2naSalit]

2. The thing has been

outside the atmosphere so protection is required in case of alien matter that might be dangerous to humans? Or radiation from the device that was used as a power source or that may have been inadvertently collected while in space?

[LunaSea]

3. Toxic or explosive gases can remain

around returning spacecraft, usually residual gases from hypergolic fuels.
The Space Shuttle went through similar procedures after landing, assisted by a big honking fan and a special truck which purged the tanks of any remaining fuels.

[Orsino]

5. Hydrazine is nasty stuff. n/t

[cstanleytech]

6. Aye from what I just read here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrazine#Hazards its not pleasant at all.

[hunter]

7. So is nitrogen tetroxide.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinitrogen_tetroxide

[kristopher]

4. Tiny little thing, isn't it?

[Javaman]

8. almost 2 years in orbit.

that's one serious drone.

I'm currently reading Roboapocolypse.