An
Air Force-industry team launched the Boeing-built X-37B orbital test vehicle, the first of a new unmanned, reusable space test platform, into space Thursday at 7:52 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., via a United Launch Alliance Atlas V expendable booster. Lt. Col. Erik Bowman, 45th Launch Support Squadron commander, said, “As the first US unmanned re-entering space vehicle, the first of its kind, it has been remarkably easy to work with; processing and preparations went extremely smooth.” He noted, too, that it was a first for the Atlas V 501 configuration, which uses no solid-rocket-motor strap-ons. Bowman said of the small space-shuttle type X-37B, “This vehicle is light enough to launch without the solid rocket motors even with the larger fairing [a five-meter shell encapsulating the X-37], making this a rather unique configuration.” (45th Space Wing release; ULA release; Boeing release)
The Space Force is looking for industry feedback on its plans to create a new “Mission Development Zone” at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., to support launch providers with space for additional payload processing capacity, test and assembly facilities, and potentially rocket and spacecraft manufacturing infrastructure.