CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida – The launch of the U.S. Space Force‘s secretive X-37B space plane atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket is scheduled to liftoff on Thursday, December 28, 2023, from Space Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The 4-hour launch window opens at 8:07 p.m. EST.
This will be the fourth launch attempt following three scrubs. This USSF-52 mission is the seventh flight (OTV-7) of the X-37B.
Launch Weather 80% ‘GO’
According to the U.S.Space Force 45th Weather Squadron, there is an 80% of favorable weather conditions for launch. The primary weather concern is the cumulus cloud rule.
Booster Rockets Ground Landing, Double Sonic Booms
After first booster separation from the core, SpaceX will attempt to land two Falcon Heavy booster rockets on land at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Landing Zones 1 and 2.
X-37B Missions
Also referred to as the U.S. Air Force’s mini space shuttle, the unmanned X-37B was originally designed for orbital missions lasting only 270 days but continues to break longevity records.
Mission Days
OTV-1 224
OTV-2 468
OTV-3 674
OTV-5 779
OTV-6 908
Standing down from tonight’s Falcon 9 launch of Starlink due to high ground-level winds. Vehicle and payload are healthy. Targeting no earlier than Wednesday, December 13 for next launch opportunity
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 13, 2023