Elon Musk’s SpaceX on Thursday night launched a US military mini shuttle, with no one aboard. The secretive X-37B drone was successfully launched at 11:50 pm (0350 GMT on Friday), according to SpaceX’s
livestream of the event.
Launched by Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, this is X-37B space plane’s eighth mystery mission.
As per a statement by US Space Force, the drone’s mission include a wide range of experiments. An AFP report quoted the service as saying, “These operational demonstrations and experiments comprise next-generation technologies including laser communications and the highest performing quantum inertial sensor ever tested in space.”
“Mission 8 will contribute to improving the resilience, efficiency and security of U.S. space based communications architectures,” it added.
SpaceX Launches US Military Spacecraft | Watch
Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/oQFgBJqWg3
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 22, 2025
The X-37B US space drone, about the size of a small bus, resembles a miniature version of the manned space shuttles that were retired in 2011.
On its previous missions, the X-37B has conducted tests for NASA, the US space agency.
In operation since 2010, the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle was developed for the Air Force by United Launch Alliance, a collaboration between Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
Measuring 30 feet (nine meters) in length with a 15-foot wingspan, the drone is powered by solar panels.
