Reusable X-37B space plane embarks on eighth flight from Kennedy Space Center

What is the X-37B and why is it needed?

The X-37B reusable space aircraft, officially called the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), is part of the U.S. Space Force program. Developed by Boeing, this device resembles a miniature shuttle about 8.8 meters long with a wingspan of 4.6 meters. Despite its modest appearance, the X-37B plays an important role in testing advanced space technologies.

Although the program is often described as "secret," the very existence of the device and its launches are publicly announced. The main purpose of the missions is to test new systems in space, including advanced navigation, thermal protection, small—size satellite technologies and experimental engines. The X-37B is capable of remaining in orbit for several years, making it a unique platform for long-term testing.

Details of the upcoming launch

The eighth flight of the X-37B is scheduled for Thursday, August 21, from the launch pad of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Although the US Space Force does not disclose the exact launch time and duration of the mission, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released information about the launch window: from 23:40 Eastern time on Thursday to 5:11 on Friday.

A Falcon 9 launch vehicle from SpaceX is likely to be used to launch the spacecraft into orbit, as in previous missions. This highlights the growing integration of commercial space solutions into U.S. military programs.

The mystery of the mission: what is known about the purpose of the flight

Official sources do not disclose the specific objectives of the eighth X-37B mission. However, given the profile of previous launches, it can be assumed that the spacecraft will deliver one or more experimental satellites into orbit or test new materials capable of withstanding the extreme conditions of space.

Past X-37B missions, in particular OTV-6, have experimented with converting sunlight into microwave energy, a technology that could form the basis for wireless transmission of energy from space. The device was also used to test the effects of radiation on various samples of materials.

The role of the US Space Force in the X-37B program

Since 2019, the X-37B program has been under the control of the US Space Force, a new branch of the armed forces created to ensure dominance in outer space. Previously, the project was supervised by the Air Force, but its transfer demonstrates the strategic importance of the device in the context of national defense.

The X-37B demonstrates the ability of the United States to rapidly deploy and test space systems, which is especially important in the face of growing competition with China and Russia in the space sector. Its reusability and autonomy make it a cost-effective and operationally flexible tool.

The US Air Force's "Space Shuttle" will test quantum navigation without GPS

X-37B

The American Space Forces are preparing for the most unusual mission of their mysterious X-37B unmanned spaceplane. This device, which looks like a miniature shuttle, has already demonstrated its capabilities in space seven times, testing secret equipment and maneuvering in orbit so that even satellite specialists could not always keep track of it. Now the eighth, regular mission is launching, and this time it has an ambitious goal: to learn how to navigate in space without the help of GPS.

The launch of the X-37B is scheduled for August 21 from Cape Canaveral on a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The main highlight of the mission is testing advanced quantum sensors and lasers right in space. Why is this important? Because GPS, which we are all so dependent on, can easily be blocked or disabled in the event of a conflict. But quantum sensors based on the fundamental laws of physics can become a completely independent navigation system. They are capable of measuring acceleration and rotation with incredible accuracy, which makes it possible to determine the position and trajectory of the device without looking at any satellites.

If the tests are successful, this will pave the way for the creation of completely new navigation systems that are invulnerable to interference, not only for spacecraft, but also for aircraft, submarines and ground-based equipment. The X-37B, which has already served for more than 10 years and spent almost 10 years in space in total, will once again become a "flying laboratory" for the most daring technological experiments.

The secret X-37B space plane is back in action — this time with a quantum compass

 

The secret space shuttle X-37B, owned by the US Space Force, is preparing for a new launch — and this time it will bring with it technology from the future: quantum navigation. The mission, numbered OTV-8 (Orbital Test Vehicle-8), will launch no earlier than August 21 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and a Falcon 9 launch vehicle from SpaceX will launch it into the sky.

The X-37B is like a space spy: a small, mini-shuttle-like craft capable of orbiting for months without a crew, conducting classified experiments. His missions are kept top secret, but now part of the plans has been revealed: one of the key cargoes is an experimental quantum navigation system.

Why is it needed? The fact is that modern satellite systems like GPS are vulnerable: they can be jammed, deceived, or disabled in a conflict. And quantum navigation is a technology that does not depend on external signals. It uses ultra-precise quantum sensors (such as atomic interferometers) to determine position in space based on the fundamental laws of physics. In other words, it's a super—accurate compass that won't let you down, even if the GPS disappears.

The US Space Force explicitly stated: "Testing this technology will be useful for navigating in difficult conditions" — which, in their style, means: We are preparing for a war where the enemy will jam the GPS, but we must continue to fly, shoot and find the target.

The X-37B has already completed seven mysterious missions, some lasting more than 900 days. It is not known what he was doing, but it is assumed that these were tests of new materials, surveillance, and possibly even the launch of small satellites.

Now a quantum breakthrough is being added to this list. If the test is successful, future military and reconnaissance vehicles will be able to navigate in space, on Earth, and even underwater — without a single signal from orbit.

X-37B Returns to Earth: Space Force Completes Orbital Test Vehicle-7 Mission

 The X-37B is returning to Earth, the Space Force will not buy any more.

The Orbital Test Vehicle-7 mission included several innovations, including a highly elliptical orbit for the X-37B, which allowed its trajectory to change unpredictably.

X-37B

Mysterious X-37B Space Plane Marks One Year in Orbit: What Is Its True Mission?

 X-37B space plane of the US Space Force 

 The mysterious X-37B space plane of the US Space Force has been orbiting the Earth non-stop for just over a year. What is he doing? This remains unclear, although his hosts revealed some of his actions in 2024. The X-37B set off on its final mission on December 28, 2023, quietly passing the 365- day mark without any official announcements or hype. The X-37B was developed by Boeing and is currently being operated by the U. S. Air Force as part of their efforts to create reusable space technologies. For each mission, it is launched into space using a launch vehicle, flies freely in Earth orbit, then re- enters the atmosphere and lands as a spaceplane. The length of the unmanned spacecraft is 8.9 meters (29 ft), the wingspan is 4.55 meters (14.9 ft). It is capable of flying in low Earth orbit at an altitude of 240 to 800 kilometers (150 to 500 miles) above the Earth at a speed of about 28,200 kilometers ( 17,523 miles) per hour. 

Although the US Space Force and Boeing appear to be lifting the veil of secrecy over some aspects of the X-37B's activities, much of its mission remains shrouded in mystery, creating an atmosphere of intrigue around the mysterious spacecraft. The official version of the US military is that the X-37B performs "risk mitigation, experimentation and concept of operations development for reusable space- craft" - a vague statement that does not give an idea of its true purpose. However, we have learned that the space plane is contributing to a long-term study of the effects of cosmic radiation on seed viability, as well as to the testing of radiation-protective thermal coatings for NASA. The X-37B may also be some kind of spy plane or weapon. It's relatively easy to track, and it makes for a pretty spectacular sight when entering the atmosphere.