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SpaceX

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

Success

Falcon 9 Block 5

T-minus to liftoff

HOURS

MINUTES

SECONDS

Friday August 22 2025, 03:50:00 UTC

StatusSuccess

Scrub riskLOW

Go95%

VehicleFalcon 9 Block 5

OrbitLow Earth Orbit

PadLaunch Complex 39A

Launch CodexDossier

Every source for this mission in one place — news, social, references, notes & the exact timeline.

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Trajectory unknown

Launch Complex 39A

Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

28.608, -80.604

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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.

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

Upper Stage · X-37B1X-37B 1

Active

4 flights· Low Earth Orbit

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

Q's read

Weather & scrubLOW risk

Weather Go95%LL2 Go90%Wind4 m/sGusts8 m/sCloud40%Temp26°C

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

max cloud-top 7635 m above freezing 5120 m (100% cover in 10 nmi) · no GLM flashes within 25 nmi / 30 min, likely cirrus / stratiform ice rather than cumulus · max-top 7635 m, mean 5870 m, 100% cover, freezing 5120 m

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

WindowFriday August 22 2025, 03:40:00 UTC→Friday August 22 2025, 07:40:00 UTC

Vehicle

FamilyFalcon

Height70 m

Diameter3.7 m

Stages2

ReusableYes

LEO capacity22,800 kg

Track record606/607 successful

Landings593/598