 | |
| Mission type | Classified |
|---|---|
| Operator | U.S. Space Force |
| COSPAR ID | 2025-183A |
| SATCAT no. | 65271 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Boeing X-37B |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Launch mass | [1] |
| Power | Deployable solar array, batteries[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | August 21, 2025 |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 Block 5 B1092-6 |
| Launch site | Kennedy, LC-39A |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 323 km (201 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 38,838 km (24,133 mi) |
OTV program | |
Orbital Test Vehicle 8 (OTV-8), also referred to as United States Space Force-36 (USSF-36) , is the fourth flight of the first Boeing X-37B, an American unmanned vertical-takeoff, horizontal-landing spaceplane. It was launched to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) aboard a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket (for the first time) from LC-39A on August 21, 2025.[2]
The spaceplane is operated by the United States Space Force, which considers the mission classified and as such has not revealed the objectives.[3]
Payloads and experiments
[edit]Onboard experiments include a laser Communications demo in Low Earth orbit for more efficient and secure communications in future and the second experiment is to demonstrate world's highest performing Quantum inertial sensor ever used in space, this system will help improving navigation by detecting rotation and acceleration of atoms.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Krebs, Gunter D. "X-37B OTV 1, 2, 3". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ "Falcon 9 Block 5 - USSF-36 (OTV-8)". Next Spaceflight. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ a b "US Space Force scheduled to launch eighth X-37B mission". United States Space Force. Retrieved 1 March 2025.