CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, FL – After late day torrential rains dissipated the skies cleared just in time for a magnificent just before midnight and on time launch of the 8th X-37B military space plane mission on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the mostly classified USSF-36 mission for the U.S. Space Force as part of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program on Aug. 21.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the robotic X-37B mini space shuttle on the OTV-8 mission into a secret low Earth orbit after it thundered off the pad at 11:50 p.m. EST (0350 GMT on Aug. 22), Friday, Aug. 21 from historic Launch Complex LC-39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Eight and a half minutes later the Falcon 9 first stage successfully touched down at Landing Zone-2 (LZ-2) a few miles south of pad 39A and sent screaming sonic booms across the Space Coast and many residents were shocked by rattling windows in homes and hotels!
Enjoy our photos taken by the Space UpClose team of Ken Kremer and Jean Wright.
Vigorous upper stage LOX venting preceded the launch as is normal.
The Falcon 9 1st stage booster B1092.6 – now completed its 6th time round trip to space and back. Touching back down back at the Cape on landing zone-2 (LZ-2) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Prior missions included NROL-69, CRS-32, GPS III-7 and 2 Starlink missions.
This is the 3rd SpaceX launch of the X-37B following OTV-7 & OTV-7 (USSF-52).
The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle is carrying laser-communication technology and an advanced quantum sensor for navigation experiments, the Space Force divulged.
“The eighth mission of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle designated USSF-36, has a wide range of test and experimentation objectives. These will include demonstrations of high-bandwidth inter-satellite laser communications technologies and enhanced space navigation using the highest performing quantum inertial sensor in space.”
The mission, carrying the U.S. Air Force X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) spacecraft, lifted off on the USSF-36 ordered under the NSSL Phase 2 contract, Task Order No. 2, on March 8, 2021.
The X-37B is a dynamic and responsive spacecraft responsible for conducting a range of tests and experiments that expedite the development of critical next-generation technologies and operational concepts for reusable space capabilities, per the Space Force.
The Space Force says Mission 8 will demonstrate the world’s highest performing quantum inertial sensor ever used in space which can operate in the absence of GPS and out to as far as cislunar space.
This demonstration will inform accurate unaided navigation in space by detecting rotation and acceleration of atoms without reliance on satellite networks like traditional GPS. This technology is useful for navigation in GPS-denied environments and consequently will enhance the navigational resilience of U.S. spacecraft in the face of current and emerging threats. As quantum inertial sensors would be useful for navigation in cislunar space, they additionally 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 operational resilience in space,” said Col. Ramsey Horn, Space Delta 9 commander in a press release about the quantum inertial sensor demonstration.
“Whether navigating beyond Earth based orbits in cislunar space or operating in GPS-denied environments, quantum inertial sensing allows for robust navigation capabilities when 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. The Fifth Space Operations Squadron, within USSF Delta 9 conducts day-to-day on-orbit.”
OTV-8 marks the 4th NSSL mission of 2025 thus far with more expected.
“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.”
The X-37B program first launched in April 2010 and has accrued 4,208 days in operation over 7 missions to date using two Boeing build X-37Bs.
A significant achievement over time is that the X-37B spacecraft demonstrated ability to alter its orbital trajectory using a novel aerobraking maneuver – this could help evade detection by our adversaries and potentially be used for up close inspection and monitoring of other satellites
“Previous X-37B missions have successfully demonstrated the X-37B spacecraft’s ability to alter its orbital trajectory using a novel aerobraking maneuver, experimented with space domain awareness technologies, successfully tested Naval Research Laboratory technology designed to harness solar energy and transmit power to the ground, and subjected seeds to the radiation environment of space for the purpose of better understanding how to sustain humans on long-term crewed missions to the moon and beyond.”
Aug. 21: Ken Kremer was interviewed about the X-37B OTV-8 mission by WFTV ABC News Orlando
Our view on CCSFS with launch pads backdrop. Credit: Ken Kremer/ SpaceUpClose.com
Our view on CCSFS with launch pads backdrop. Credit: Ken Kremer/ SpaceUpClose.com
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