OTV-3 Landing Success for X-37B
An X-37B space plane touches down at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Oct. 17, 2014 to end a 22-month secret mission for the U.S. military. It marked the third X-37B space plane flight since 2010. Read the Full Story.
X-37B Launches on Third Mission #2
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket blasts off from Space Launch Complex-41 with the U.S. Air Force's third Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-3). The OTV, also known as the X-37B, launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on Dec. 11, 2012.
X-37B Launches on Third Mission
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket blasts off from Space Launch Complex-41 with the U.S. Air Force's third Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-3). The OTV, also known as the X-37B, launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on Dec. 11, 2012.
Rocket Nose Cone Covers X-37B Robot Space Plane
The U.S. Air Force's X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle is shown inside its payload fairing during encapsulation at the Astrotech facility in Titusville, Fla., ahead of a April 2010 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.The same spacecraft flew again on the OTV-3 mission, which launched in Dec. 2012.
X-37B: Let's Work
This NASA Marshall Space Flight Center image shows on-orbit functions for the reusable X-37B space plane, now under the wing of the U.S. Air Force.
X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Diagram
This diagram of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle shows how it will work.
X-37B Space Plane Launches on Atlas 5
An Atlas 5 rocket blasts off on Dec. 11, 2012, beginning the Air Force's third X-37B classified space plane mission.
Air Force's X-37B Space Plane: An Orbital Spy
A belly view of the U.S. Air Force's X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle 1 as it sits inside its payload fairing during encapsulation at the Astrotech facility in Titusville, Fla., before its first launch in April 2010. The same spacecraft flew again on the OTV-3 mission, which launched in Dec. 2012.
X-37B Rolled Out for Third Mission
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V is rolled to the pad at Space Launch Complex-41 in preparation for launch of the Air Force's third Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-3) mission. The OTV, also known as the X-37B, launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on Dec. 11, 2012.
In orbit
The X-37B (shown here in an illustration) is an unpiloted military space plane. Launched from Florida, the vehicle will make an auto-touchdown.
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
