posted 07-28-2025 11:33 AM               

Boeing-Built X-37B Spaceplane Set for Eighth Mission

Launch is set for no earlier than August 21 from Florida Space Coast

Orbital Test Vehicle will fly a service module, expanding capacity for a laser communications demonstration, and first in-space demonstration of a strategic grade quantum inertial sensor

The Boeing-built X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) is preparing to launch its eighth mission (OTV-8) from Florida's Space Coast, with liftoff scheduled no earlier than August 21. This milestone comes less than six months after the successful completion of OTV-7.

"With each successive flight, the X-37B has demonstrated adaptability and flexibility by hosting diverse experiments and pioneering new orbital regimes," said Michelle Parker, vice president of Boeing Space Mission Systems. "This mission continues that legacy by fielding cutting-edge technologies that advance our nation's space capability and improve the resilience of future architectures."

OTV-8 will fly with a service module, expanding capacity for experiments and opening new opportunities for mission partners, which include the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Defense Innovation Unit.

The mission will host demonstrations of high-bandwidth inter-satellite laser communications technologies, as well as the highest performing quantum inertial sensor ever tested in space. The U.S. Space Force will leverage insights from this mission to inform future space architectures.

"OTV-8's laser communications demonstration will mark an important step in the U.S. Space Force's ability to leverage commercial space networks as part of proliferated, diversified, and redundant space architectures," said U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations, Gen. Chance Saltzman. "In so doing, it will strengthen the resilience, reliability, adaptability, and data transport speeds of our satellite communications architectures."

The revolutionary quantum inertial sensor will demonstrate precise positioning, navigation and timing in a GPS-denied environment. Quantum inertial sensors, useful for navigation in deep and cis-lunar space, promise to push the technological frontiers of long-distance space travel and exploration.

"OTV 8's quantum inertial sensor demonstration is a welcome step forward for the operational resilience of Guardians in space," said Space Delta 9 Commander Colonel Ramsey Hom. "Whether navigating beyond Earth-based orbits in cis-lunar space or operating in GPS-denied environments, quantum inertial sensing allows for robust navigation capabilities where GPS navigation is not possible. Ultimately, this technology contributes significantly to our thrust within the Fifth Space Operations Squadron and across the Space Force guaranteeing movement and maneuverability even in GPS-denied environments."

Boeing and Space Force teams are preparing the spaceplane for launch at Boeing's facility at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Since its inaugural launch in April 2010, the spaceplane has spent more than 4,200 days in space.

posted 08-22-2025 09:27 AM               

U.S. Space Force and U.S. Air Force successfully launch X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle

U.S. Space Force's National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program and SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launched the USSF-36 mission into orbit Aug. 21 from historic Launch Complex (LC)-39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

The mission, carrying the U.S. Air Force X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) spacecraft, lifted off on schedule at 11:50 p.m. EST (8:50 p.m. PST). USSF-36 was ordered under the NSSL Phase 2 contract, Task Order No. 2, on March 8, 2021.

"This was our fourth NSSL Phase 2 mission so far this year, and we have more coming right behind it," said Col. Ryan Hiserote, senior materiel leader, Launch Execution for Space Systems Command Assured Access to Space organization. "In fact, we have more missions queued for launch over the next 12 months than in any prior 12-month period in the history of the NSSL program…and we welcome this challenge. Putting innovative capabilities such as these in orbit builds United States strength in the space domain and increases our nation's overall warfighting capability."

This is the third NSSL Falcon 9 mission this year, the first being National Reconnaissance Office Launch (NROL)-69 in March followed by the rapid response Global Positioning Systems (GPS) III-7 SV-08 in May. Looking ahead to an increased launch cadence, the government team and SpaceX continue to sharpen their technical assessments together, enabling shorter timelines that enable a higher launch rate without compromising mission success.

"Our One Falcon Team did a superb job executing our independent mission assurance responsibilities faster, at the same level of confidence, and in parallel with preparations for our next mission," said Dr. Walt Lauderdale, chief of Falcon Systems and Operations, and mission director for the USSF-36 launch. "Our excellent relationship with our launch service provider and our deep understanding of this launch system make us more efficient and the result will be the throughput required to satisfy growing national needs."

posted 08-22-2025 09:39 AM               

Boeing-Built X-37B Spaceplane Launches, Beginning Eighth Mission

The Boeing-built X 37B Orbital Test Vehicle launched today (Aug. 21) on its eighth mission, lifting off at 11:50PM ET aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The vehicle is healthy on orbit and proceeding with standard checkout.

Less than six months after completing its seventh mission with a landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., on March 7, 2025, the spaceplane is back in space. This mission includes a Boeing integrated service module to increase payload capacity for experimentation activities on orbit.

"Our role is to make sure the spaceplane is the most reliable testbed it can be," said Michelle Parker, vice president of Boeing Space Mission Systems. "None of this happens without teamwork. Launch is the starting line for this mission, but the work that follows –the quiet, methodical work on orbit, analysis and eventual return is where progress is earned."

The X-37B is hosting several technology demonstrations from government partners on this mission, include laser communications and a quantum inertial sensor designed to support navigation when GPS is unavailable. On its previous mission, the vehicle executed a first of its kind aerobraking maneuver to change orbits while conserving propellant.

"Having a returnable space platform allows us to learn faster," said Col. Brian Chatman, installation commander for Space Launch Delta 45. "The data we gather from the X-37B speeds decisions, hardens our architectures, and helps Guardians stay connected and on course even in contested environments. This is how we move from promising ideas to fieldable capability at pace."

The X 37B is a government–industry partnership led by the U.S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, with the U.S. Space Force overseeing operations. Boeing teams primarily based in Seal Beach, Calif., and Kennedy Space Center, Fla., design, build, integrate and operate the reusable spaceplane. Since first flight in 2010, the orbital test vehicle has completed seven missions and accumulated more than 4,200 days in space, returning after each flight for inspection and augmentation.