X-37B is a secret military space plane. Pictures show what it looks like before, after launch

Florida’s Space Coast has turn into recognized for its rocket launches, which has notably elevated in the past few years.

Aside from the “ooh, ahh” factor of a launch virtually morning, noon or night − with a few that happen during typical bedtime hours − the rocket launches have specific missions for SpaceX, NASA and United Launch Alliance.

Occasionally, there’s a “secretive” mission from the U.S. Space Force.

The military space airplane, the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, is poised to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center close to Cape Canaveral no earlier than 11:40 p.m. ET Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. SpaceX and the Space Force have not revealed an precise launch time, but a Federal Aviation Administration advisory suggests the launch window runs until 5:11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22.

Everything to know about X-37B: What’s on board the secret Space Force space airplane?

Should it be needed, an further launch window is listed as opening midnight Saturday, Aug. 23.

What is the X-37B? How does Space Force secretive military airplane launch into space?

Built by Boeing, the X-37B military space airplane resembles a mini space shuttle and has beforehand gotten a experience to space in a ULA Atlas V rocket and SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral. The X-37B also has launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California.

How does it get to space? Nestled in the “top” of the rockets, the photograph below reveals how the uncrewed space airplane will get a carry into orbit. Keep scrolling for an rationalization on the scientific maneuver.

Is there a launch today? Upcoming NASA, SpaceX, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral

Photos of X-37B, Space Forces secretive military space airplane

The X-37B doesn’t carry people – only Space Force experiments aimed at pushing American space technology.

The uncrewed X-37B resembles a NASA space shuttle, but it’s launched otherwise. Instead of being mounted onto boosters like the space shuttle, the X-37B is launched as a payload atop a rocket, encased inside protecting fairing covers (see photographs above).

Those fairing covers are shed after liftoff, and the X-37B orbits around the Earth like a mini space shuttle. According to Boeing, the X-37B is about one-fourth the scale of the space shuttle.

Upon returning to Earth, the X-37B glides onto a runway for a touchdown related to a common plane slightly than a splashdown.

Having it glide onto the runway permits the spacecraft to be prepared for flight a lot sooner than if it have been to splashdown. Boeing’s web site states that the autonomous re-entry functionality of the X-37B permits for not just a easy returns to Earth, but a fast refurbishment and turn-around time for its next flight.

This article initially appeared on Florida Today: Photos of US Space Force X-37B, the secretive military space airplane