US to launch secret spaceship into orbit

By Dean Murray

A secretive U.S. spaceship is set to launch into orbit.

The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-7), an experimental space plane operated by the United States Space Force (USSF), will blast off for its eighth mission on August 21.

While the existence of X-37B is not a secret, its operations, full range of capabilities, and most of its mission details remain highly classified, maintaining an aura of mystery around the advanced spaceplane.

An official painting of the X-37B, unveiled in 2023, depicted the futuristic vehicle intercepting an adversary satellite that appears to be positioning to disable a friendly satellite.

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However, USSF did reveal in a July 28 statement: "X-37B Mission 8 will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, designated USSF-36, with a wide range of test and experimentation objectives.

"These operational demonstrations and experiments comprise of next-generation technologies including laser communications and the highest performing quantum inertial sensor ever tested in space."

General Chance Saltzman, Space Force Chief of Space Operations, suggested some of the technology will be tested for potential use in warzones. He added: "Bottom line: testing this tech will be helpful for navigation in contested environments where GPS may be degraded or denied."

X-37B Mission 8 will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.