Falcon 9 • USSF-36

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the eighth mission of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-8), a cargo spaceplane built by Boeing on behalf of the U.S. Space Force in cooperation with the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. The mission, also referred to as USSF-36, will demonstrate space-based communications using laser links between the spaceplane and “proliferated commercial satellite networks in Low Earth Orbit.” Officials haven’t said if this will involve SpaceX’s Starlink constellation or the Starshield satellites developed for government use. It will also demonstrate what USSF calls “the highest performing quantum inertial sensor ever tested in space” in order to show navigation capabilities without the use of the GPS satellite constellation. The day-to-day operations of the X-37B are managed by the Fifth Space Operations Squadron within USSF Delta 9. The Falcon 9 first stage booster launching this mission, tail number B1092, flying for a sixth time, landed at Landing Zone 2 a little more than 8.5 minutes after liftoff.