.jpg) X-37B that conducted OTV-6 shortly after it landed on 12 November 2022 | |
| Names | Orbital Test Vehicle 6 OTV-6 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | U.S. Space Force classified satellite |
| Operator | United States Space Force |
| COSPAR ID | 2020-029A |
| SATCATno. | 45606 |
| Mission duration | 908 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Boeing X-37B |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Launch mass | 5,400 kg (11,900 lb)[1] |
| Power | Deployable solar array,batteries |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 17 May 2020, 13:14:00UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas V 501 (AV-081) |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral,SLC-41 |
| Contractor | United Launch Alliance |
| End of mission | |
| Landing date | 12 November 2022, 10:22UTC |
| Landing site | Shuttle Landing Facility Runway 33 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 388 km (241 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 404 km (251 mi) |
| Inclination | 44.60° |
OTV program | |
USA-299, also referred to asUSSF-7 andOrbital Test Vehicle 6 (OTV-6), is the third flight of the firstBoeingX-37B, an American unmannedvertical-takeoff, horizontal-landingspaceplane. It was launched tolow Earth orbit aboard anAtlas Vlaunch vehicle fromSLC-41 on 17 May 2020. Its mission designation is part of theUSA series.
The spaceplane is operated by theDepartment of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office[2] andUnited States Space Force, which considers the missionclassified and as such has not revealed the objectives. However an unclassified secondary satellite,FalconSat-8, was deployed from the X-37B soon after launch.[3]
OTV-6 is the third mission for the first X-37B built, and the sixth X-37B mission overall. It flew on anAtlas V in the 501 configuration, and launched fromCape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.[4] This flight is the first time the space plane has been equipped with a service module to carry additional pieces for experiments.
OTV-6 was deployed into an orbit with aninclination of approximately 44.60°.[5]
OTV-6 landed after a record-breaking 908 days at theShuttle Landing Facility on November 12, 2022.[6]
A rideshare payload for theUnited States Air Force Academy, FalconSat-8, was deployed from the X-37B a few days into the mission. The satellite provides a platform for the academy's Cadet Space Operations Squadron to test various technologies.
Onboard experiments include:
