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OTV-8 (X-37B) (USSF-36)

© SpaceX

All launches
SpaceX

OTV-8 (X-37B) (USSF-36)

Success

Falcon 9 Block 5
T-minus to liftoff

-

00

HOURS

:

00

MINUTES

:

00

SECONDS

Aug 22, 03:50:00 UTC
StatusSuccess
VehicleFalcon 9 Block 5
OrbitLow Earth Orbit
PadLaunch Complex 39A
Loading map…

Mission

Eighth flight of the X-37B program. The X-37B is a dynamic and responsive spacecraft responsible for conducting a range of tests and experiments that expedite the development of critical next-generation technologies and operational concepts for reusable space capabilities. The OTV-8 mission in Low Earth Orbit includes operational demonstrations and experiments of next-generation technologies, including laser communications and the highest performing strategic grade quantum inertial sensor ever tested in space. Mission partners include the Air Force Research Lab and the Defense Innovation Unit, respectively.

Launch Timeline

Countdown

T-00:38:00

GO for Prop Load

T-00:35:00

Prop Load

T-00:35:00

Stage 1 LOX Load

T-00:16:00

Stage 2 LOX Load

T-00:07:00

Engine Chill

T-00:01:00

Startup

T-00:01:00

Tank Press

T-00:00:45

GO for Launch

T-00:00:03

Ignition

In-flight

T+00:00:00

Liftoff

T+00:01:12

Max-Q

T+00:02:14

MECO

T+00:02:18

Stage 2 Separation

T+00:02:25

SES-1

T+00:02:31

Booster Boostback Burn Startup

T+00:02:46

Fairing Separation

T+00:03:16

Booster Boostback Burn Shutdown

T+00:06:53

Entry Burn Startup

T+00:07:18

Entry Burn Shutdown

T+00:08:08

Stage 1 Landing Burn

T+00:08:40

Stage 1 Landing

Quick facts

VehicleFalcon 9 Block 5
OrbitLow Earth Orbit
PadLaunch Complex 39A
SiteKennedy Space Center, FL, USA
WindowAug 22, 03:40:00 UTC→Aug 22, 07:40:00 UTC

Vehicle

FamilyFalcon
Height70 m
Diameter3.65 m
Stages2
ReusableYes
LEO capacity22,800 kg
Track record606/607 successful
Landings593/598
Acquiring satellite view…
Trajectory unknown
Launch Complex 39A
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
28.608, -80.604
Scrub riskLOW
Go90%
Q

Q's read

Weather & scrubLOW risk
Weather Go90%LL2 Go90%Wind4 ktGusts4 ktCloud50%Temp81°F

Limiting rule: No flight through cumulus cloud with top at or above the freezing level.

8800% cloud cover in layer above freezing (15665 ft) — approximated · ≥60% layer 11519–20083 ft (8564 ft thick) — approximated

Reusable Hardware

All boosters →
First Stage · Flight-provenB1092
active6th flight
Flights10
Landings10/10100%
Fastest turn25d 14h
Recovered · RTLS · LZ-2· 15 km downrange
54d 23h since last flight

Falcon 9 booster debuting on Starlink Group 12-13.

Previous flights · 9
  1. #10Starlink Group 6-110+71d 17hJRTIFeb 24, 2026
  2. #9Starlink Group 6-82+30d 2hASOGDec 15, 2025
  3. #8Starlink Group 6-89+57d 17hASOGNov 15, 2025
  4. #7Starlink Group 10-61+27d 5hJRTISep 18, 2025
  5. #5Starlink Group 10-34+28d 10hASOGJun 28, 2025
Upper Stage · X-37B1X-37B 1
Active
4 flights· Low Earth Orbit

First X-37B. First flight on April 22, 2010.