Falcon 9 Launches Classified X-37b Spaceplane Into Gps-Denied Abyss for 8th Secret Mission

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the military’s secretive X-37B spaceplane on August 21, 2025, at 11:50 p.m. EST from Kennedy Space Center‘s Launch Complex 39A. The mission, called USSF-36 or OTV-8, marks the eighth flight for the mysterious military spacecraft since 2010.

The X-37B is an uncrewed, reusable spaceplane built by Boeing for the U.S. Space Force. It’s designed to stay in orbit for long periods while conducting classified experiments and testing new technologies. This latest mission will focus on testing laser communication systems and quantum inertial sensors that work in environments where GPS signals aren’t available.

Boeing’s uncrewed X-37B spaceplane conducts classified experiments during extended orbital missions for the U.S. Space Force.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 first stage booster, numbered B1092, flew for its sixth time during this launch. The booster had previously carried cargo to the International Space Station and launched military satellites. After lifting the X-37B to orbit, the booster aimed to land at Landing Zone 2. If successful, it would mark the 490th booster recovery for SpaceX.

The Pentagon uses the X-37B as a testing platform for developing next-generation space technologies. The spaceplane’s ability to return to Earth and fly again makes it valuable for repeated experiments. Boeing confirmed the spacecraft’s health after launch and said standard checkout procedures were underway.

Previous X-37B missions have remained highly classified, with the military rarely revealing details about payloads or objectives. The seven previous X-37B flights have accumulated 4,208 days in orbit since the program began. The spaceplane can land at multiple locations, including Kennedy Space Center, Vandenberg Space Force Base, and Edwards Air Force Base.

After landing, it’s transported back to Kennedy aboard a Boeing C-17 aircraft for refurbishment. Ground crews prepare the X-37B at Kennedy’s Orbiter Processing Facility, where technicians wear protective gear due to hazardous materials. The spacecraft was encapsulated in the Falcon 9’s fairing before being transported to the launch pad on August 20.

This mission demonstrates the growing partnership between commercial companies and the military for national security launches. It’s part of the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 program. The Space Force, Boeing, Air Force Research Laboratory, and Defense Innovation Unit all play roles in managing the X-37B program. Space Systems Command oversees the program with a $15.6 billion annual space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense.