USSF-36 / X-37B OTV-8 Mission
USSF-36 began the eighth mission of the reusable X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle. Its publicly disclosed experiments include laser communications with proliferated commercial satellite networks, a quantum inertial sensor for navigation without GPS, and NASA material-exposure research associated with inflatable heat-shield technology. Boeing reported in April 2026 that OTV-8 remained on orbit.
Follow this mission
Alerts for this mission, including changes. Time-based alerts will start when a time is available.
Identity
- Aliases
- X-37B Mission 8OTV-8
- Name
- USSF-36 / X-37B OTV-8 Mission
- Status
- active
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- USSF-36 began the eighth mission of the reusable X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle. Its publicly disclosed experiments include laser communications with proliferated commercial satellite networks, a quantum inertial sensor for navigation without GPS, and NASA material-exposure research associated with inflatable heat-shield technology. Boeing reported in April 2026 that OTV-8 remained on orbit.
- Launch Site
- Outcome
- Successfully launched the X-37B into orbit; on-orbit experiments remain active
- Program
- X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle
- Start Date
- 2025-08-22
- Vehicle Families
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- July 20, 2026 at 19:35:28 UTC
- Updated Time
- July 20, 2026 at 19:35:28 UTC
Other
- Affiliations
- Events
- -
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles