发展X-37B空间飞机的背后动因分析

文章通过对X-37B飞行器的飞行试验任务分析，指出了X-37B飞行器不是空天飞机，也不是全球快速打击平台，而是一种低成本太空进入能力的飞行验证器，它的作用定位在空间而不是在空中。通过飞行试验和验证试验，旨在打造一个可重复使用的轨道转移运载器。将美国2010年航天战略的重大调整、国际空间站的运行延期和航天飞机退役等事件结合起来，对X-37B发展的背后动因进行分析，有助于了解美国航天发展的未来趋势。经过动因的详尽分析，指出要特别关注美国航天战略调整的两个重心转向，尤其是两个转向背后的动机。如何正确地认识国际空间站的作用定位，对于审视载人航天的未来发展有重要意义。美国航天战略的调整使载人航天的重心回到近地轨道上。基于中国目前的能力现实，建议中国的载人航天重心放在地球轨道上，做好各种能力的建设，并利用这些能力把地球轨道上的事做得更好。

Background of X-37B space vehicle development

On the basis of flight test mission analysis for X-37B vehicle, it is pointed out in this paper that X-37B is not an aerospace vehicle nor a global quick attack platform, but a flight demonstrator of space access capabilities with low cost; its role is in space rather than in the air. By flight tests and flight demonstrations, the aim is to turn X-37B into a reusable orbital transfer vehicle. From some historic events, such as US major adjustments of 2010 space strategy, the postponement of ISS operation and the out of commission for space shuttle, the background of X-37B development is analyzed, which is closely related with the development trend of US space missions. From the analysis, it is suggested that two major transfers of the US space strategy adjustments must be paid special attention to, especially their background. It is important to understand the role of ISS to foresee the future development of manned space missions. US adjustments of space strategy makes the manned space missions to return to near earth orbit. Based on China’s current capabilities, it is suggested that the manned space tasks of China should focus on near earth orbit, with different kinds of capabilities for earth orbit missions.