By 
July 28th, 2025
X-37B (OTV-8) military space plane being readied for flight.
Image credit: U.S. Air Force/U.S. Space Force
The U.S. Space Force is slated to launch the eighth X-37B robotic space plane mission next month.
According to a statement from the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-8) will be lofted on Aug. 21 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the vehicle, designated US Space Force-36 (USSF-36).
Seemingly more open to discuss what the uncrewed space plane will do during its mission, the statement explains that onboard the winged vehicle will be several next-generation technologies.
These include laser communications and the highest performing quantum inertial sensor ever tested in space, according to the statement. “Mission partners include the Air Force Research Lab and the Defense Innovation Unit, respectively.”
Data transport speeds
Mission 8 will focus on improving the resilience, efficiency and security of U.S. space based communications architectures “by conducting laser communications demonstrations involving proliferated commercial satellite networks in low Earth orbit.”
X-37B space plane. Image credit: Boeing/Inside Outer Space screengrab
“OTV-8’s laser communications demonstration will mark an important step in the U.S. Space Force’s ability to leverage proliferated space networks as part of a diversified and redundant space architectures,” says Chief of Space Operations General Chance Saltzman stated. “In so doing, it will strengthen the resilience, reliability, adaptability and data transport speeds of our satellite communications architecture.”
More secure transmissions
In the Air Force release, it is pointed out that laser communications are integral to the future of space communications as the shorter wavelength of infrared light increases the amount of data that can be sent with each transmission.
“Additionally, they are more secure than traditional radio frequency transmissions owing to the more targeted nature of laser beams. The use of proliferated relay networks enhances the resilience of U.S. space architectures by ensuring that they contain no single point of failure,” the statement adds.
Image credit: Boeing
Quantum inertial sensor
The OTV-8 mission will also demonstrate the world’s highest performing quantum inertial sensor ever used in space.
“This demonstration will inform accurate unaided navigation in space by detecting rotation and acceleration of atoms without reliance on satellite networks like traditional GPS. This technology is useful for navigation in GPS-denied environments and consequently will enhance the navigational resilience of U.S. spacecraft in the face of current and emerging threats,” the statement notes.
“As quantum inertial sensors would be useful for navigation in cislunar space, they additionally promise to push the technological frontiers of long-distance space travel and exploration.”
Flight roster
Here’s a listing of previous flights of the space plane:
OTV-1: launched on April 22, 2010 and landed on December 3, 2010, spending over 224 days on orbit.
OTV-2: launched on March 5, 2011 and landed on June 16, 2012, spending over 468 days on orbit.
OTV-3: launched on December 11, 2012 and landed on October 17, 2014, spending over 674 days on-orbit.
OTV-4: launched on May 20, 2015 and landed on May 7, 2015, spending nearly 718 days on-orbit.
OTV-5: launched on September 7, 2017 and landed on October 27, 2019, spending nearly 780 days on-orbit.
OTV-6: launched on May 17, 2020 and landed on November 12, 2022, circling Earth for 908 days.
OTV-7: lofted on December 28, 2023 and touched down on March 7, 2025, circling Earth for 434 days.
X-37B Air Force space plane.
Credit: Boeing/Inside Outer Space Screengrab
Posted in Space News
