X-37B blasts off on latest mission
The US Space Force (USSF) on 17 May completed the sixth mission launch of the Boeing-built X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), as part of the US National Security Space Launch programme.
The launch was carried out for the USAF Rapid Capabilities Office, using a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 501 launch vehicle Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
‘The National Security Space Launch programme leverages commercial launch services to deliver the Nation’s most critical space capabilities safely to orbit,” said Col Rob Bongiovi of the Space and Missile Systems Center, which is the main USAF unit for acquiring and developing military space systems.
Seven more National Security Space missions for scheduled in 2020. The first OTV was launched in April 2010and operated in low-Earth orbit for approximately eight months.
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