Falcon 9 Block 5 | OTV-8 (X-37B) (USSF-36) launch

SpaceXLaunch SuccessfulGovernment/Top Secret

OTV‑8 (X‑37B)

Name: Falcon 9 Block 5 | OTV-8 (X-37B) (USSF-36)
Start: 2025-08-22T03:50:00Z
Location: Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

Falcon 9 Block 5 · USSF-36

Launched Fri, Aug 22 · 3:50 AM UTC2025-08-22 03:50 UTCLaunch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

Reached orbit
Booster landed

Follow SpaceX in the app Watch the replay

Success

Reached Low Earth Orbit

Landed

B1092 Landed

The first stage landed at Landing Zone 2, on its 6th flight.

Worldwide

189th

orbital launch attempt in 2025

SpaceX

104th

launch this year

Launch Complex 39A

18th

launch from this pad this year

Pad turnaround

20 d 12 h

since the pad's previous launch

Replay

Replay: SpaceX OTV-8 (X-37B) (USSF-36)

The Flight Plan

Planned times, from liftoff at 3:50 AM UTC. The result is at the top of the page.

Countdown9

T−38:003:12 AMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:003:15 AMStart of propelland loading
T−35:003:15 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−16:003:34 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:003:43 AMStart of engine chilling
T−1:003:49 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−1:003:49 AMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−0:453:49 AMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:033:49 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Show the countdown (9 steps)

T−38:003:12 AMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:003:15 AMStart of propelland loading
T−35:003:15 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−16:003:34 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:003:43 AMStart of engine chilling
T−1:003:49 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−1:003:49 AMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−0:453:49 AMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:033:49 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Ascent6

T+0:003:50 AMFirst upwards movement of the rocket
T+1:123:51 AMMaximum dynamic pressure
T+2:143:52 AMCut-off of the main engine
T+2:183:52 AMSeparation of the second stage from the first
T+2:253:52 AMFirst start of the second engine
T+2:463:52 AMSeparation of the payload fairing

Booster Return6

T+2:313:52 AMStart of the booster boostback burn
T+3:163:53 AMEnd of the booster boostback burn
T+6:533:56 AMStart of the atmospheric entry burn
T+7:183:57 AMEnd of the atmospheric entry burn
T+8:083:58 AMStart of the first stage landing burn
T+8:403:58 AMLanding of the first stage

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.

Launch Provider

SpaceX

Commercial · United States of America · Founded 2002 · CEO Elon Musk

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., known as SpaceX, is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California. It was founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX operates from many pads, on the East Coast of the US they operate from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and historic LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. They also operate from SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, usually for polar launches. Another launch site is being developed at Boca Chica, Texas.

Launches

742

Successful

727

98%

Landings

687

of 715

Upcoming

136

scheduled

FliesFalcon Starship Dragon

All SpaceX launches Website Wikipedia

Updates

Aug 22 · 2:35 PM
Launch successfull.
hitura-nobad
Aug 22 · 7:39 AM
Spacecraft separation.
Cosmic_Penguin
Aug 22 · 3:50 AM
Liftoff!
hitura-nobad
Aug 22 · 3:19 AM
Updated launch weather, 90% GO.
Cosmic_Penguin
Aug 20 · 4:56 PM
Updated launch weather, 65% GO at start of window (80% GO at end).
Cosmic_Penguin

Show earlier updates

Aug 20 · 12:50 AM
GO for launch.
Cosmic_Penguin
Aug 18 · 12:48 AM
Refined launch window.
Cosmic_Penguin
Aug 17 · 7:29 AM
Added tentative launch window.
Cosmic_Penguin
Jul 28 · 1:50 PM
NET August 21.
Cosmic_Penguin

Falcon 9 Block 5

Vehicle history

Height

70m

Diameter

3.6m

To low Earth orbit

22,800kg

Liftoff thrust

7,607kN

Space Launch Now for iOS and Android

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SpaceXLaunch SuccessfulGovernment/Top Secret

OTV‑8 (X‑37B)

Falcon 9 Block 5 · USSF-36

Launched Fri, Aug 22 · 3:50 AM UTC2025-08-22 03:50 UTCLaunch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

Reached orbit
Booster landed

Follow SpaceX in the app Watch the replay

Success

Reached Low Earth Orbit

Landed

B1092 Landed

The first stage landed at Landing Zone 2, on its 6th flight.

Worldwide

189th

orbital launch attempt in 2025

SpaceX

104th

launch this year

Launch Complex 39A

18th

launch from this pad this year

Pad turnaround

20 d 12 h

since the pad's previous launch

Replay

Replay: SpaceX OTV-8 (X-37B) (USSF-36)

The Flight Plan

Planned times, from liftoff at 3:50 AM UTC. The result is at the top of the page.

Countdown9

T−38:003:12 AMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:003:15 AMStart of propelland loading
T−35:003:15 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−16:003:34 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:003:43 AMStart of engine chilling
T−1:003:49 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−1:003:49 AMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−0:453:49 AMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:033:49 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Show the countdown (9 steps)

T−38:003:12 AMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−35:003:15 AMStart of propelland loading
T−35:003:15 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−16:003:34 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:003:43 AMStart of engine chilling
T−1:003:49 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−1:003:49 AMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−0:453:49 AMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:033:49 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Ascent6

T+0:003:50 AMFirst upwards movement of the rocket
T+1:123:51 AMMaximum dynamic pressure
T+2:143:52 AMCut-off of the main engine
T+2:183:52 AMSeparation of the second stage from the first
T+2:253:52 AMFirst start of the second engine
T+2:463:52 AMSeparation of the payload fairing

Booster Return6

T+2:313:52 AMStart of the booster boostback burn
T+3:163:53 AMEnd of the booster boostback burn
T+6:533:56 AMStart of the atmospheric entry burn
T+7:183:57 AMEnd of the atmospheric entry burn
T+8:083:58 AMStart of the first stage landing burn
T+8:403:58 AMLanding of the first stage

Mission

Eighth flight of the X-37B program.

Launch Provider

SpaceX

Commercial · United States of America · Founded 2002 · CEO Elon Musk

Launches

742

Successful

727

98%

Landings

687

of 715

Upcoming

136

scheduled

FliesFalcon Starship Dragon

All SpaceX launches Website Wikipedia

Updates

Aug 22 · 2:35 PM
Launch successfull.
hitura-nobad
Aug 22 · 7:39 AM
Spacecraft separation.
Cosmic_Penguin
Aug 22 · 3:50 AM
Liftoff!
hitura-nobad
Aug 22 · 3:19 AM
Updated launch weather, 90% GO.
Cosmic_Penguin
Aug 20 · 4:56 PM
Updated launch weather, 65% GO at start of window (80% GO at end).
Cosmic_Penguin

Show earlier updates

Aug 20 · 12:50 AM
GO for launch.
Cosmic_Penguin
Aug 18 · 12:48 AM
Refined launch window.
Cosmic_Penguin
Aug 17 · 7:29 AM
Added tentative launch window.
Cosmic_Penguin
Jul 28 · 1:50 PM
NET August 21.
Cosmic_Penguin

Falcon 9 Block 5

Vehicle history

Height

70m

Diameter

3.6m

To low Earth orbit

22,800kg

Liftoff thrust

7,607kN

Next From Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center schedule

NET2026

USSF-75SpaceX · Falcon Heavy · Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USAGeostationary OrbitTo be determinedNET 2026 Dec—NET

Griffin Mission OneSpaceX · Falcon Heavy · Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USALunar OrbitTo be determinedNET December

Space Launch Now for iOS and Android

Notifications before every launch you follow, live countdowns on your home screen and watch, and webcasts as they start.

See what's in the app

Scan to open on your phone

OTV‑8 (X‑37B)

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown9

Ascent6

Booster Return6

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon 9 Block 5

OTV‑8 (X‑37B)

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown9

Ascent6

Booster Return6

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon 9 Block 5

Next From Kennedy Space Center

Next From Kennedy Space Center

OTV‑8 (X‑37B)

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown9

Ascent6

Booster Return6

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon 9 Block 5

Never Miss a Launch.

OTV‑8 (X‑37B)

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown9

Ascent6

Booster Return6

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon 9 Block 5

Next From Kennedy Space Center

Never Miss a Launch.

Next From Kennedy Space Center