 Launch of OTV-7 | |
| Mission type | Classified |
|---|---|
| Operator | U.S. Space Force |
| COSPAR ID | 2023-210A |
| SATCAT no. | 58666 |
| Mission duration | 325 days, 8 hours and 20 minutes (in progress) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Boeing X-37B |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Launch mass | 6,350 kg (14,000 lb)[1] |
| Power | Deployable solar array, batteries[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | December 28, 2023, 01:07 UTC[2] |
| Rocket | Falcon Heavy (B1064.5 (sides) B1084 (core), B1065.5 (sides)) |
| Launch site | LC-39A |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
| End of mission | |
| Landing date | 2027 (planned) [citation needed] |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Highly elliptical high Earth orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 323 km (201 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 38,838 km (24,133 mi) |
| Inclination | 59.1° |
OTV program | |
Orbital Test Vehicle 7 (OTV-7), also referred to as United States Space Force-52 (USSF-52) or USA-349,[3][4] is the fourth flight of the second Boeing X-37B, an American unmanned vertical-takeoff, horizontal-landing spaceplane. It was launched to a highly elliptical high Earth orbit aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket (for the first time) from LC-39A on 28 December 2023.[5]
The spaceplane is operated by the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office and United States Space Force, which considers the mission classified and as such has not revealed the objectives. The spaceplane was sent to orbit with a wide range of test and experimentation objectives. These tests include operating in new orbital regimes, experimenting with space domain awareness technologies and investigating the radiation effects to materials provided by NASA.[6][7][8]
- ^ a b Krebs, Gunter D. "X-37B OTV 1, 2, 3". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ Davenport, Justin (29 December 2023). "Falcon Heavy launches USSF-52 spaceplane". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ Erwin, Sandra (8 November 2023). "U.S. Air Force X-37B spaceplane to launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket". SpaceNews. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ Clark, Stephen (8 November 2023). "In a surprise move, the military's spaceplane will launch on Falcon Heavy". Ars Technica. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "UPDATE: SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch on hold for USSF-52 mission". satnews.com. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
- ^ "U.S. Air Force X-37B spaceplane to launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket". 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ "United States Space Force Prepares X-37B for Launch". United States Space Force. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- ^ "Department of the Air Force scheduled to launch seventh X-37B mission". United States Space Force. 8 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.[permanent dead link]