Falcon 9 Block 5 | OTV-8 (X-37B) (USSF-36)

Eighth flight of the X-37B program. 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. The OTV-8 mission in Low Earth Orbit includes operational demonstrations and experiments of next-generation technologies, including laser communications and the highest performing strategic grade quantum inertial sensor ever tested in space. Mission partners include the Air Force Research Lab and the Defense Innovation Unit, respectively.

Government/Top Secret · Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

• B1092 · flight 6 · Return to Launch Site @ Landing Zone 2 · landed ✓ · last flew Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 10-34 · zone record 17/17

• SpaceX OTV-8 (X-37B) (USSF-36) — The Space Devs
• Watch live: SpaceX Falcon 9 launches secretive military mini-shuttle from Kennedy Space Center — Spaceflight Now
• 🚀 LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches X-37B Spaceplane — NASASpaceflight
• USSF-36 Mission — SpaceX

1. T−38MGO for Prop Load
2. T−35MProp Load
3. T−35MStage 1 LOX Load
4. T−16MStage 2 LOX Load
5. T−7MEngine Chill
6. T−1MStartup
7. T−1MTank Press
8. T−45SGO for Launch
9. T−3SIgnition
10. P0DLiftoff
11. T+1M12SMax-Q
12. T+2M14SMECO
13. T+2M18SStage 2 Separation
14. T+2M25SSES-1
15. T+2M31SBooster Boostback Burn Startup
16. T+2M46SFairing Separation
17. T+3M16SBooster Boostback Burn Shutdown
18. T+6M53SEntry Burn Startup
19. T+7M18SEntry Burn Shutdown
20. T+8M8SStage 1 Landing Burn
21. T+8M40SStage 1 Landing

• Launch successfull.

  hitura-nobad · 8/22/2025 · source

• Spacecraft separation.

  Cosmic_Penguin · 8/22/2025 · source

• Liftoff!

  hitura-nobad · 8/22/2025 · source

• Updated launch weather, 90% GO.

  Cosmic_Penguin · 8/22/2025 · source

• Updated launch weather, 65% GO at start of window (80% GO at end).

  Cosmic_Penguin · 8/20/2025 · source

• GO for launch.

  Cosmic_Penguin · 8/20/2025 · source

• Refined launch window.

  Cosmic_Penguin · 8/18/2025 · source

• Added tentative launch window.

  Cosmic_Penguin · 8/17/2025 · source

• NET August 21.

  Cosmic_Penguin · 7/28/2025 · source