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Space Force Sets Thursday Night Launch of X-37B on Falcon 9 From Kennedy Space Center

The flight will test laser crosslinks alongside a quantum inertial sensor to harden navigation in GPS-denied conditions.

The X-37B on Earth. Credit: Boeing/USAF
X-37B spaceplane.
Image

Overview

  • Liftoff is targeted for 11:50 p.m. EDT on Aug. 21 from pad 39A, with a multi-hour window extending into early Friday.
  • SpaceX will fly Falcon 9 booster B1092 for the sixth time and attempt a return landing at Landing Zone 2 about 8.5 minutes after launch.
  • The 45th Weather Squadron forecasts 65% favorable conditions at the window’s opening, improving to 80% later, with Hurricane Erin being monitored.
  • This is the third X-37B mission to launch on a Falcon rocket following earlier flights on Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Atlas V.
  • Operations are led by USSF Delta 9’s Fifth Space Operations Squadron with the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, and the mission length remains undisclosed after past flights lasting up to roughly 909 days.