The Boeing-built X-37B autonomous spaceplane launched on top of a uniquely configured United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.
Boeing is the prime contractor for the X-37B spaceplane and facilitates the integration of all experiments into the vehicle ensuring they receive the correct power, thermal and data services required. Boeing also works to identify future reusable platform experiment opportunities on each mission.
The X-37B’s sixth mission is the first to use a service module with additional payload capability to support a variety of experiments for multiple government partners. The mission will deploy FalconSAT-8, a small satellite developed by the U.S. Air Force Academy and sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory, to conduct experiments on orbit. Further, two NASA experiments will study the impact of radiation and other space effects on certain materials and seeds used to grow food. Another experiment by the Naval Research Laboratory will transform solar power into radio frequency microwave energy which could then be transmitted to the ground. In addition, the mission will test reusable space vehicle technologies.
The X-37B first launched in April 2010. Originally designed for missions of 270 days duration, the X-37B has set endurance records during each of its five previous flights. Most recently, X-37B spent 780 days on orbit before returning to Earth in October 2019.
“The X-37B has shifted the paradigm and redefined efficiency in space development, said Jim Chilton, Boeing Space and Launch senior vice president. “The rapid technology advancements enabled by the program will benefit the entire space community and influence the next generation of spacecraft design.”
The X-37B program is a partnership between the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office and the United States Space Force. Boeing program management, engineering, test and mission support functions for the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV) program are conducted at Boeing sites in Southern California and Florida.
Boeing has announced the scheduled 2026 launch of a satellite – dubbed Q4S – which is designed to demonstrate quantum…
American Airlines has announced nearly 500 new aviation maintenance jobs and additional lines of heavy maintenance work at the carrier’s…
Dirk Beljaarts, Minister of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands, and Pierre Eric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group, signed…
Britten-Norman has announced a new modification for its BN2B-26 Islander aircraft, allowing the use of unleaded fuel in the piston…
Challenge Group has earned the IATA CEIV Lithium Battery certification after six months of preparation, training, and audits. This new…
Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company (HOSE: VJC) has announced its audited financial results for the first half of 2024, showing…
Exail has entered into an agreement with Precision Technic Defence A/S to provide Advans Vega Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) for…
Ankara-based simulator manufacturer HAVELSAN has announced that its Boeing B737-8 MAX Full Flight Simulator, operated by Turkish Airlines, has obtained…
Japan Airlines (JAL) has become the first A350 operator globally to sign up with Airbus for the computer-based A350 Virtual…
L3Harris Technologies has received an order from the U.S. Marine Corps for multi-channel handheld and vehicular radio systems worth more…
Major General Piek Budyakto, Director General of Defence Potential at the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, led a technical meeting on…
Airbus Helicopters has secured a contract with the Republic of Iraq for the delivery of 12 H225M multi-role helicopters. The…
Exail has been selected by Naval Group to supply navigation systems for the French Navy's Ocean Patrol Vessels (OPVs) as…
BAE Systems Australia has selected spend management software from Ivalua to streamline and modernise its supply chain processes. The company…
Raytheon recently successfully demonstrated the SeaVue Multi-role Radar's superior long-range target detection at the U.S. Navy's Exercise Rim of the…
The U.S. Army has awarded the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) a follow-on fiscal year 2024 production contract for Javelin© missiles…
Hurjet, Türkiye’s first indigenous jet-powered supersonic trainer aircraft, performed a demonstration flight earlier this week at the Egypt International Airshow.…
Embraer on Thursday delivered the first C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft to the Hungarian Air Force. The aircraft is the first…
At the Egypt International Air Show, the Egyptian Armed Forces announced that Lockheed Martin will supply two C-130J-30 Super Hercules…
Airbus Defence and Space has completed the acquisition of Infodas, a German company specialising in cybersecurity and IT solutions for…
Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER S-100 has been awarded the first-ever Design Verification Report (DVR) by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)…
Indra has secured a significant contract with Poland’s Ministry of Defence to supply up to 15 transportable radar systems for…
Korean Air is set to expand its network in China and Japan to cater to the increasing travel demand in…
During the Egypt International Airshow, the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) received a supplier certificate from French aircraft engine manufacturer…
Kinéis, a satellite operator focused on the Internet of Things (IoT), is set to launch its first satellite constellation dedicated…
EDGE Group has formalised a partnership with the Brazilian Navy to complete the development of the National Anti-Ship Missile (MANSUP)…
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Fincantieri, has been recognised as 'CEO of the Year 2024' in the Defence and Cruise sector…
Swedish defence company Saab is now targeting the Philippines for potential sales of its JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft, following…
The Defence Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Army (RTA), conducted testing and evaluation of…
Advanced air mobility company Joby Aviation has formally applied for its aircraft to be certified for use in Australia. Joby’s…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.