KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - Boeing’s experimental X-37B orbital test vehicle (OTV) could fly again in August, less than six months after completing a 434-day orbital stint in March. The aerospace titan and U.S. Space Force on Tuesday said the spacecraft’s eighth mission, OTV-8, is scheduled to launch on August 21 from Boeing’s facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The X-37B is the world’s only autonomous, reusable spaceplane, designed for long-duration testing of technologies—often classified—in orbit, Jack Daleo writes for Flying. Continue reading original article.
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
30 July 2025 - For OTV-8, the vehicle will again carry a service module to expand capacity for hosted experiments. Key mission partners include the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Defense Innovation Unit. Among the technologies being demonstrated are high-bandwidth inter-satellite laser communications systems and a state-of-the-art quantum inertial sensor.
The laser communications system is intended to enhance data transfer capabilities and support the Space Force’s goal of building more resilient and distributed satellite architectures. The quantum inertial sensor will test precise navigation in environments where GPS signals are unavailable, offering potential for deep-space and cis-lunar navigation.
"OTV 8's quantum inertial sensor demonstration is a welcome step forward for the operational resilience of Guardians in space," said Space Delta 9 Commander Colonel Ramsey Hom. "Whether navigating beyond Earth-based orbits in cis-lunar space or operating in GPS-denied environments, quantum inertial sensing allows for robust navigation capabilities where GPS navigation is not possible. Ultimately, this technology contributes significantly to our thrust within the Fifth Space Operations Squadron and across the Space Force, guaranteeing movement and maneuverability even in GPS-denied environments."
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Jamie Whitney, Senior Editor
Military + Aerospace Electronics
