A secretive space plane is set to launch and test quantum navigation technology

The US Space Force is preparing for another mission involving its enigmatic X-37B space plane. Announced on Monday, this marks the eighth flight of the small, Space Shuttle-inspired vehicle, which is slated to launch no earlier than August 21 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. Currently, the Space Force operates two X-37B units, both manufactured by Boeing. The first made its inaugural flight back in April 2010, and since then, these uncrewed spacecraft have completed a series of increasingly lengthy missions. Notably, the first X-37B set a record with a remarkable 908-day flight from 2020 to 2022, while the second vehicle recently returned to Earth after 434 days in orbit, landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 7. For the upcoming mission, it appears that the first of these two vehicles will take to the skies once again. Despite the Space Force's historically reserved stance regarding the objectives of these missions, the military has shared some insights for the upcoming OTV-8 flight. This time, the X-37B will be equipped with a service module designed to enhance its experimental capabilities, enabling it to carry payloads from the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Defense Innovation Unit. This development hints at a significant step forward in the exploration of quantum navigation technologies and their potential applications in future space endeavors.