The Boeing-built X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle launched on August 21 for its eighth mission, which includes a 
Boeing integrated service module to increase payload capacity for experimentation activities in orbit.
The X-37B is an uncrewed, autonomous spaceplane designed for advanced experimentation and testing. As a returnable orbital test vehicle, it enables officials to learn and analyze data more quickly. According to the manufacturer, the vehicle is healthy on orbit and proceeding with standard checkout.
Going On Its Eighth Mission
The X-37B lifted off last night at 23:50 ET aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida. The launch came less than six months after the vehicle completed its seventh mission with a landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Boeing Space Mission Systems hopes to make the spaceplane “the most reliable testbed it can be.” Launching is the start of the mission, followed by the quiet, methodical work on orbit, analysis, and the eventual return of the vehicle.
On its eighth mission, the spaceplane is hosting several technology demonstrations from government partners, including laser communications and a quantum inertial sensor designed to support navigation when GPS is unavailable. The last mission saw the spaceplane execute a first-of-its-kind aerobraking maneuver to change orbits while conserving propellant. Col. Brian Chatman, installation commander for Space Launch Delta 45, said:
“The data we gather from the X-37B speeds decisions, hardens our architectures, and helps Guardians stay connected and on course even in contested environments. This is how we move from promising ideas to fieldable capability at pace.”
Returning To Earth With Valuable Data
As reported by CBS, the SpaceX Falcon 9 lit up the skies on Thursday night, arcing onto a northeasterly trajectory atop 1.7 million pounds of thrust from the booster’s nine engines. The spacecraft climbed out of the lower atmosphere, with the engines shutting down, the first stage falling away, flipping around, and re-igniting three engines to change course and return to Florida. This was SpaceX’s 66th booster landing in Florida and its 490th successful recovery overall.
The X-37B completed its seventh mission on March 7, 2025, successfully deorbiting and landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base at 02:22 EST. The last mission was the first time it launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket to a Highly Elliptical Orbit. While on orbit, the X-37B completed various test and experimentation objectives intended to demonstrate the spaceplane’s robust maneuver capability while helping characterize the space domain by testing domain awareness technology experiments.
During the last mission, the X-37B remained on-orbit for over 434 days. Boeing, SpaceX, and the Space Force did not provide many other details about the spaceplane’s current mission. However, the last seven missions went on for long periods, ranging from 224 days to over 900 days. The spaceplane’s longest mission lasted 908 days.
Gathering Data And Insights From Space
Built by Boeing, the X-37B is a government-industry partnership led by the US Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, with the US Space Force overseeing operations. Boeing teams primarily based in Seal Beach, California and Kennedy Space Center design, build, integrate, and operate the reusable test vehicle. The X-37B completed its first flight in 2010 and returns after each flight for inspection and augmentation. The X-37B’s statistics are as follows:
|
Vehicles |
2 |
|---|---|
|
Completed Missions |
7 |
|
Miles in Orbit |
1.3 billion+ |
|
Days in Orbit |
4,000+ |
|
Longest Mission |
908 days |
Each mission adds new capabilities and technology tests, making the spaceplane a critical platform for advancing space technology. Other experiments include space radiation studies and space domain awareness technologies conducted by NASA. Boeing supports many US space experiments with many products and services, including satellites, the X-37B, and the CST-100 Starliner, which took astronauts to the International Space Station, although it failed to return them.
- Stock Code
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BA
- Business Type
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Planemaker
- Date Founded
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July 15, 1916
- CEO
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Kelly Ortberg
A Boeing 747SP was also used as a Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. The aircraft was modified to carry a 106-inch (2.7-meter) reflecting telescope. The 747, known as SOFIA, was a partnership between NASA and the German Space Agency at DLR. Boeing is committed to designing and building the future of safe, assured space exploration, leveraging experience gained from supporting every major US endeavor to escape Earth’s gravity.
