Note the cropped image--probably to obscure the service module.There is mention up-thread regarding a polar or Sun-synchronous orbit for either NROL-69 or USSF-36. NROL-69 went to a NOSS/Intruder orbit; could this be a polar launch for the X-37B?
Work will be performed in Hawthorne, California; Vandenberg Air Force Base, California; and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida,
We’re also demoing the world’s highest performing quantum inertial sensor ever used in space. Bottom line: testing this tech will be helpful for navigation in contested environments where GPS may be degraded or denied. (3/4)
Space Force to launch eighth X-37B spaceplane flight next monthhttps://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/07/28/space-force-to-launch-eighth-x-37b-spaceplane-flight-next-month/
Quote from: Star One on 07/28/2025 06:54 pmSpace Force to launch eighth X-37B spaceplane flight next monthhttps://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/07/28/space-force-to-launch-eighth-x-37b-spaceplane-flight-next-month/I think the best candidate Falcon 9 booster B1096.2
Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated July 31:QuoteThe next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the next crew of four to the ISS, Crew-11, from pad 39A on July 31 at 12:09 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on August 4 at 12:11-4:11 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the next Amazon Kuiper internet satellite batch from pad 40 on August 7 at 10:01-10:28 a.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink satellite batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-33 Cargo Dragon resupply mission to the ISS from pad 40 on August 21 at 4:00 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch USSF-36 carrying the X-37B OTV-8 space plane mission for the U.S. Space Force from pad 39A on August 21. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the Nusantara 5 (PSN-5) communication satellite for Indonesia on late August. A Falcon 9 will launch the Cygnus NG-23 resupply mission to the ISS on mid-September around 5 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch NASA's Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) on late September.
The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the next crew of four to the ISS, Crew-11, from pad 39A on July 31 at 12:09 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on August 4 at 12:11-4:11 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the next Amazon Kuiper internet satellite batch from pad 40 on August 7 at 10:01-10:28 a.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink satellite batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-33 Cargo Dragon resupply mission to the ISS from pad 40 on August 21 at 4:00 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch USSF-36 carrying the X-37B OTV-8 space plane mission for the U.S. Space Force from pad 39A on August 21. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the Nusantara 5 (PSN-5) communication satellite for Indonesia on late August. A Falcon 9 will launch the Cygnus NG-23 resupply mission to the ISS on mid-September around 5 p.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch NASA's Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) on late September.
US Space Force prepares X-37B Mission 8 for launchThe U.S. Space Force, in partnership with the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office and SpaceX, is making final preparations to launch the eighth mission of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-8) on Aug. 21 from Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The eighth mission of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, designated USSF-36, with 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. "OTV-8 exemplifies the X-37B's status as the U.S. Space Force's premier test platform for the critical space technologies of tomorrow. Through its mission-focused innovation, the X-37B continues to redefine the art of the possible in the final frontier of space," said AFRCO Acting Director William Blauser. The X-37B program, which first launched in April 2010, has accrued 4,208 days in operation. 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. 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.
SpaceX@SpaceXTeams encapsulated the X-37B ahead of next week’s Falcon 9 launch from pad 39A in Florida
142327Z AUG 25NAVAREA IV 877/25(11).NORTH ATLANTIC.FLORIDA.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 220340Z TO 220803Z AUG, ALTERNATE 230400Z TO 230823Z, 240420Z TO 240843Z, 250440Z TO 250728Z, 260500Z TO 260748Z, 270345Z TO 270808Z AND 280540Z TO 280833Z AUG IN AREA BOUND BY 28-40.25N 080-38.57W, 28-50.00N 080-22.00W, 28-39.00N 080-11.00W, 28-27.24N 080-31.58W.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 280933Z AUG 25.
141931Z AUG 25HYDROPAC 2096/25(83).PACIFIC OCEAN.DNC 06, DNC 13.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 220500Z TO 220911Z, 230520Z TO 230931Z, 240540Z TO 240951Z, 250600Z TO 250836Z, 260620Z TO 260856Z, 270505Z TO 270916Z AND 280700Z TO 280941Z AUG IN AREA BOUND BY 09-55.00N 120-25.00W, 10-41.00N 121-25.00W, 07-44.00S 135-45.00W, 08-30.00S 134-45.00W.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 281041Z AUG 25.
In order to target the same orbital plane, they should however shift towards an earlier time each succesive day.
Dillon@Dillonshrop06·6hThe US Space Force will be launching the OTV-8 spaceplane aboard a Falcon-9 NET August 22 0340 UTC The booster for this flight will perform an RTLS landing at LZ-2 located at Cape Canaveral SFSOTV will be deployed into an orbit with a Semi-Major Axis of ~6875km (~500x500km likely) with an inclination of 49.5 degreesThis OTV mission will aim to test satellite-to-satellite laser link communication (possibly Starshield) Due to it being deployed into Low-Earth Orbit, you will be able to observe this mysterious spaceplane with the naked eye. This mission is high in priority with Amateur Satellite Trackers, so there will likely be routine orbit determinations despite the fact that the US Space Force provides no public orbital data.
Primary Launch Day 22 Aug 0340Z-0803ZBackup Launch Day 23 Aug 0400Z-0823ZBackup Launch Day 24 Aug 0420Z-0843ZBackup Launch Day 25 Aug 0440Z-0728ZBackup Launch Day 26 Aug 0500Z-0748ZBackup Launch Day 27 Aug 0345Z-0808ZBackup Launch Day 28 Aug 0540Z-0833Z
191919Z AUG 25NAVAREA IV 885/25(11,26).NORTH ATLANTIC.FLORIDA.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 220340Z TO 220803Z AUG, ALTERNATE 230400Z TO 230823Z, 240420Z TO 240843Z, 250440Z TO 250728Z, 260500Z TO 260748Z, 270345Z TO 270808Z AND 280540Z TO 280833Z AUG IN AREAS BOUND BY: A. 30-35.00N 078-29.00W, 31-43.00N 077-43.00W, 31-54.00N 077-01.00W, 31-35.00N 076-35.00W, 31-06.00N 076-42.00W, 30-24.00N 078-14.00W. B. 28-40.25N 080-38.57W, 28-50.00N 080-22.00W, 28-39.00N 080-11.00W, 28-27.24N 080-31.58W.2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 877/25.3. CANCEL THIS MSG 280933Z AUG 25.
SpaceX is targeting Thursday, August 21 at 11:50 p.m. ET for Falcon 9’s launch of the USSF-36 mission to orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A backup launch opportunity is available at the same time on Friday, August 22.SpaceX’s live webcast of this mission will begin about 20 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.This will be the sixth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-69, CRS-32, GPS III-7, and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on SpaceX’s Landing Zone 2 (LZ-2) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.USSF-36 is the eighth launch of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-8) and third Falcon launch of the spacecraft, after SpaceX previously launched OTV-5 and OTV-7 (USSF-52).
