On 17 November 2006, the U.S. Air Force announced that it would develop its own variant of NASA's X-37A. The Air Force version was designated the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV).

2 days ago · The Boeing-built X-37B is an uncrewed, autonomous spaceplane designed for advanced experimentation and technology testing. With its unparalleled flexibility and maneuverability, the X-37B is setting new standards in space exploration.

The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), the Air Force's unmanned, reusable space plane, landed at Vandenberg Air Force Base at 5:48 a.m. (PDT) June 16. OTV-2, which launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., March 5, 2011, conducted on-orbit experiments for 469 days during its mission.

Oct 10, 2024 · The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-7) will begin executing a series of novel maneuvers, called aerobraking, to change its orbit around Earth and safely dispose of its service module components in accordance with recognized standards for space debris mitigation.

Mar 13, 2025 · The U.S. Space Force landed the X-37B at Vandenberg SFB, California, to exercise its rapid ability to launch and recover its systems across multiple sites. X-37B’s Mission 7 was the first launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket to a Highly Elliptical Orbit.

Nov 8, 2023 · The Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, in partnership with the United States Space Force, is scheduled to launch the seventh mission of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Dec. 7, 2023 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Mar 7, 2025 · Announced with the thunder of a sonic boom, the secretive U.S. military X-37B spaceplane made its return from orbit early Friday at 2:22am EST (0722 UTC). The uncrewed spacecraft touched down on...

4 days ago · In this week’s look Around the Air Force, the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle successfully deorbited and landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, a new pilot concierge cell helps with seamless transitions from active duty to the Air Force Reserve, and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David Allvin, consolidates two of the service’s ...

Mar 7, 2025 · The secretive X-37B spaceplane has just returned from its latest highly classified, long-duration mission. On Mar. 7, 2025, at 07.22 UTC (2.22AM EST), the Boeing X-37B landed at Vandenberg Space ...

Mar 7, 2025 · Technicians in bulky protective suits approach the U.S. Space Force X-37B space plane after its landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California to end a secret 434 day mission on March 7...