Curated by:
|
Mission 1
2010-015 Atlas V 501, AV-012
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station |
2010 Apr 22, 23:52 |
USA 212 (OTV-1, X-37B#1 Flight 1)
2010-015A
36514 |
Re-entered - 2010 Dec 3
Life 225 days
Returned to Earth |
| First flight of the USAF Boeing-built X-37B space plane fitted with a classified payload. Launched at the beginning of a 4 hr launch window. Landed Vandenberg runway 2010 Dec 3 with wheel stop at 09:16:02 UTC. Launch delayed from April 20. Originally planned for release from Space Shuttle, the X-37B was transferred to an Atlas V following orbiter Columbia's destruction in 2003. Orbital elements not released by Spacetrack so parameters are based on amateur observation. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| 2010 May 23, 09:34 | 6787 | 0.0016 | 398 | 420 | 92.74 | 39.99 | 209 | | | | 2010 Aug 22, 09:58 | 6814 | 0.0012 | 428 | 444 | 93.30 | 39.97 | 352 | | | | 2010 Aug 30, 08:59 | 6814 | 0.0007 | 431 | 441 | 93.30 | 39.99 | 53 | | | | 2010 Oct 15, 10:03 | 6768 | 0.0003 | 388 | 392 | 92.36 | 39.99 | 230 | | | | 2010 Nov 05, 16:10 | 6698 | 0.0057 | 281 | 357 | 90.91 | 40.00 | 351 | | | | 2010 Nov 24, 17:51 | 6662 | 0.0001 | 284 | 285 | 90.20 | 39.99 | 76 | | | | 2010 Nov 29, 04:26 | 6661 | 0.0006 | 279 | 287 | 90.17 | 40.00 | 33 | | | | Atlas V upper stage
2010-015B
36515 |
in space
|
| Launched USA 212 (OTV-1/X-37B). After releasing the satellite, it was placed on an Earth escape trajectory. |
| Heliocentric orbit | |
Mission 2
2011-010 Atlas V 501, AV-026
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station |
2011 Mar 5, 22:46 |
USA 226 (OTV-2, X-37B#2 Flight 1)
2011-010A
37375 |
Re-entered - 2012 Jun 16
Life 469 days
Returned to Earth |
| Second X-37B space plane - making its first flight. A mission by the first X-37B flight model was undertaken during 2010 and this second flight will refine some of the tests that it undertook. Mission originally planned for 270 days to Nov 30 but, on that day, USAF announced an indefinite extension. 2012 May 30 - USAF let it be known that the X-37B will return to Vandenberg AFB during tthe first two weeks of June, it landed 2012 Jun 16 at 12:48 UTC. Orbital elements not released by Spacetrack so parameters are based on amateur observation. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| 2011 Mar 30, 03:13 | 6707 | 0.0012 | 321 | 337 | 91.11 | 42.81 | 148 | | | | 2011 Nov 27, 18:21 | 6713 | 0.0014 | 325 | 344 | 91.22 | 42.76 | 14 | | | | 2012 Jan 07, 21:21 | 6713 | 0.0010 | 328 | 341 | 91.22 | 42.78 | 19 | | | | 2012 May 18, 02:09 | 6662 | 0.0028 | 265 | 302 | 90.19 | 42.80 | 208 | | | | Atlas V upper stage
uncatalogued
|
Re-entered - 2011 Mar 5
Life <1 day
|
| Launched USA 226 (OTV-2/X-37B). Caused to re-enter above the southern Indian Ocean about 55 minutes after launch. |
| Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable | |
Mission 3
2012-071 Atlas V 501, AV-034
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station |
2012 Dec 11, 18:03 |
USA 240 (OTV-3, X-37B#1 Flight 2)
2012-071A
39025 |
Re-entered - 2014 Oct 17
Life 675 days
Returned to Earth |
| Second flight of the first model of the USAF/Boeing X-37B space plane. Detailed payload and mission purpose are unknown. Launch by United Launch Alliance an behalf of USAF Rapid Capabilities Office. Landed on the runway at Vandenberg AFB 2014 Oct 17 at 16:24 UTC. The first orbit listed is an estimate by Ted Molczan based on observations from Cape Town by Greg Roberts soon after launch. Element sets were not released by Space-Track so remaining orbits are based on amateur observation. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| 2012 Dec 12, 18:00 | 6728 | 0.0012 | 342 | 358 | 91.54 | 43.50 | 327 | | | | 2013 Mar 06, 00:36 | 6775 | 0.0005 | 393 | 400 | 92.49 | 43.64 | 112 | | | | 2014 Jul 22, 07:54 | 6729 | 0.0020 | 337 | 365 | 91.56 | 43.51 | 324 | | | | Atlas V upper stage
uncatalogued
|
Re-entered - 2012 Dec 11
Life <1 day
|
| Launched USA 240 (OTV-3/X-37B). Caused to re-enter above the southern Indian Ocean about 55 minutes after launch. |
| Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable | |
Mission 4
2015-025 Atlas V 501 (AFSPC-5)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station |
2015 May 20, 15:05 |
USA 261 (OTV-4. X-37B#2 Flight 2)
2015-025A
40651 |
Re-entered - 2017 May 7
Life 718 days
Returned to Earth |
| Flight of USAF/Boeing X-37B space plane, probably the second mission for vehicle number 2. Detailed payload and mission purpose are unknown. Launch by United Launch Alliance on behalf of the USAF Rapid Capabilities Office. Landed Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility 2017 May 7 at 11:47 UTC. Element sets are not released by Spacetrack so parameters are based on amateur observation. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| 2015 May 27, 16:18 | 6694 | 0.0010 | 309 | 322 | 90.84 | 38.02 | 319 | | | | 2015 Oct 27, 10:08 | 6728 | 0.0006 | 346 | 354 | 91.54 | 38.02 | 222 | | | | 2015 Nov 13, 23:58 | 6693 | 0.0006 | 311 | 319 | 90.82 | 38.02 | 338 | | | | 2016 May 15, 19:12 | 6730 | 0.0008 | 347 | 357 | 91.58 | 38.03 | 266 | | | | 2016 Nov 11, 03:42 | 6734 | 0.0003 | 354 | 358 | 91.67 | 37.67 | 73 | | | | 2016 Dec 20, 18:58 | 6716 | 0.0022 | 323 | 353 | 91.30 | 38.00 | 343 | | | | 2017 Mar 25, 18:02 | 6707 | 0.0010 | 322 | 336 | 91.11 | 38.00 | 90 | | | | USS Langley
2015-025B
40652 |
in space
|
| 3U CubeSat from the US Naval Academy to demonstrate the ability to host a web server aboard a CubeSat. Part of the Unique Lightweight Technology and Research Auxiliary Satellite ( ULTRASat) cluster of ten Cubesats carried on the USA-261 (X-37B) launch vehicle. Initial orbit is an estimate based on web pages describing some of the Cubesats carried on the mission. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| estimated orbit | 6907 | 0.0251 | 355 | 702 | 95.20 | 55.00 | 45 | | | | Opticube 01
2015-025C
40653 |
in space
|
| 3U Cubesat (one of three similar satellites carried in the same launch) built by students of California Polytechnic (CalPol). Passive satellite for use as callibration targets for orbital debris studies - each has a different coating to test ground based sensors. Project sponsored by the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Initial orbit is an estimate based on web pages describing some of the Cubesats carried on the mission. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| estimated orbit | 6907 | 0.0251 | 355 | 702 | 95.20 | 55.00 | 45 | | | | ParkinsonSat (PSat)
2015-025D
40654 |
in space
|
| 1.5U Cubesat carrying a US Naval Academy rado receiver for collecting data from remote buoys on the ocean. It also carries two Amateur Radio transponders. Part of the Unique Lightweight Technology and Research Auxiliary Satellite ( ULTRASat) cluster of ten Cubesats carried on the USA-261 (X-37B) launch vehicle. Initial orbit is an estimate based on web pages describing some of the Cubesats carried on the mission. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| estimated orbit | 6907 | 0.0251 | 355 | 702 | 95.20 | 55.00 | 45 | | | | BRICSat-P (Ballistically Reinforced Communication Satellite )
2015-025E
40655 |
in space
|
| 1.5U Cubesat, from the US Naval Academy built in collaboration with George Washington University to measure the performance of miniature pulse plasma thrusters. Initial orbit is an estimate based on web pages describing some of the Cubesats carried on the mission.. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| estimated orbit | 6907 | 0.0251 | 355 | 702 | 95.20 | 55.00 | 45 | | | | Opticube 02
2015-025F
40656 |
in space
|
| 3U Cubesat (one of three similar satellites carried in the same launch) built by students of California Polytechnic (CalPol). Passive satellite for use as callibration targets for orbital debris studies - each has a different coating to test ground based sensors. Project sponsored by the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Initial orbit is an estimate based on web pages describing some of the Cubesats carried on the mission. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| estimated orbit | 6907 | 0.0251 | 355 | 702 | 95.20 | 55.00 | 45 | | | | GEARRS 2 (Globalstar Risk Reduction Satellite)
2015-025G
40657 |
in space
|
| 3U Cubesat from Taylor University, investigating the feasibility of using the Globalstar satellite comms network for command and control of cubesats and other small satellite systems and cubesats. Initial orbit is an estimate based on web pages describing some of the Cubesats carried on the mission. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| estimated orbit | 6907 | 0.0251 | 355 | 702 | 95.20 | 55.00 | 45 | | | | Opticube 03
2015-025H
40658 |
in space
|
| 3U Cubesat (one of three similar satellites carried in the same launch) built by students of California Polytechnic (CalPol). Passive satellite for use as callibration targets for orbital debris studies - each has a different coating to test ground based sensors. Project sponsored by the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Initial orbit is an estimate based on web pages describing some of the Cubesats carried on the mission. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| estimated orbit | 6907 | 0.0251 | 355 | 702 | 95.20 | 55.00 | 45 | | | | AeroCube 8a
2015-025J
40659 |
Re-entered - 2021 Oct 11
Life 2336 days
|
| 1.5U Cubesat, one of a jointly-launched pair from the Aerospace Corporation, MIT and eSpace, carring an R&D payload sponsored by the National Reconnaissance Office and relating to development of Carbon Nanotubetechnology and a Scalable ion Electrospray Propulsion system (SiEPro). Initial orbit is an estimate based on web pages describing some of the Cubesats carried on the mission. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| estimated orbit | 6907 | 0.0251 | 355 | 702 | 95.20 | 55.00 | 45 | | | | 2019 Sep 11, 07:18 | 6794 | 0.0127 | 329 | 502 | 92.88 | 55.02 | 170 | | | | AeroCube 8b
2015-025K
40660 |
Re-entered - 2021 Oct 2
Life 2327 days
|
| 1.5U Cubesat, one of a jointly-launched pair from the Aerospace Corporation, MIT and eSpace, carring an R&D payload sponsored by the National Reconnaissance Office and relating to development of Carbon Nanotubetechnology and a Scalable ion Electrospray Propulsion system (SiEPro). Initial orbit is an estimate based on web pages describing some of the Cubesats carried on the mission. For a few days in 2019 Space-Track (inadvertently?) released orbital data. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| estimated orbit | 6907 | 0.0251 | 355 | 702 | 95.20 | 55.00 | 45 | | | | 2019 Sep 11, 06:29 | 6793 | 0.0126 | 329 | 501 | 92.86 | 55.02 | 171 | | | | Lightsail 1
2015-025L
40661 |
Re-entered - 2015 Jun 14
Life 25 days
|
| 3U CubeSat from The Planetary
Society designed to demonstrate the viability of using solar sailing for propulsion. Part of the Unique Lightweight Technology and Research Auxiliary Satellite ( ULTRASat) cluster of ten Cubesats carried on the USA-261 (X-37B) launch vehicle. The solar sail was opened Jun 7 at 1947 UTC. Initial orbit is an estimate based on web pages describing some of the Cubesats carried on the mission. The second orbit listed is based on radio Doppler observations by amateur trackers. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| estimated orbit | 6907 | 0.0251 | 355 | 702 | 95.20 | 55.00 | 45 | | | | 2015 Jun 13, 23:37 | 6739 | 0.0085 | 304 | 418 | 91.77 | 54.99 | 258 | | | | Atlas V upper stage
2015-025M
40662 |
Re-entered - 2015 May 20
Life <1 day
|
| Launched USA 261 (OTV-4/X-37B. Performed plane change from 38° to 55° inclination shortly after releasing the main payload and then released a cluster of Cubesats. Caused to re-enter above the southern Indian Ocean on the day of launch at about 17:35 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| estimated orbit | 6694 | 0.0010 | 309 | 322 | 90.84 | 38.02 | 80 | | | | estimated orbit | 6907 | 0.0251 | 355 | 702 | 95.20 | 55.00 | 45 | | | |
Mission 5
2017-052 Falcon 9 v1.2
Kennedy Space Center |
2017 Sep 7, 14:00 |
USA 277 (OTV-5, X-37B#2 Flight 3)
2017-052A
42932 |
Re-entered - 2019 Oct 27
Life 780 days
Returned to Earth |
| Flight of USAF/Boeing X-37B space plane. The vehicle is described as a space technology demonstrator and host platform for experimental payloads. This mission also carried a number of small satellite ride share payloads but there is no indication of how or when they were released into independent orbit. Launch was by SpaceX on behalf of the USAF Rapid Capabilities Office. Landed Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility 2019 Oct 27 at 07:51 UTC.. Element sets were not released by Space-Track so parameters are based on amateur observation, the final one was calculated by Nico Janssen from radio observations. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| 2018 Apr 13, 01:59 | 6734 | 0.0003 | 353 | 358 | 91.65 | 54.48 | 306 | | | | 2018 Apr 21, 21:40 | 6695 | 0.0010 | 310 | 323 | 90.86 | 54.51 | 167 | | | | 2018 Aug 19, 19:06 | 6703 | 0.0005 | 322 | 329 | 91.04 | 54.51 | 235 | | | | 2018 Aug 25, 20:24 | 6769 | 0.0035 | 368 | 415 | 92.38 | 54.50 | 166 | | | | 2018 Nov 03, 17:03 | 6722 | 0.0009 | 338 | 350 | 91.42 | 54.53 | 169 | | | | 2019 Feb 26, 00:39 | 6696 | 0.0002 | 316 | 319 | 90.88 | 54.51 | 246 | | | | 2019 Oct 08, 04:57 | 6695 | 0.0010 | 310 | 324 | 90.87 | 54.51 | 219 | | | | 2019 Oct 27, 01:37 | 6652 | 0.0001 | 274 | 275 | 90.00 | 54.52 | 285 | | | | USA 295
2017-052C
45169 |
Re-entered - unknown date
|
| Satellite of unknown purpose. Neither formally acknowledged nor catalogued until 2020 February 11. A US filing for the satellite lodged with the United Nations in 2020 and published early 2021 listed the inclination as 56°.9 and the orbit height as 182 x 356 km. The inclination suggests release from the Falcon 9 into a similar orbit (around 350 km) as USA 277 (OTV-5). |
| Orbit classified as 'Secret' - data withheld | | USA 296
2017-052D
45170 |
Re-entered - unknown date
|
| Satellite of unknown purpose. Neither formally acknowledged nor catalogued until 2020 February 11. A US filing for the satellite lodged with the United Nations in 2020 and published early 2021 listed the inclination as 56°.9 and the orbit height as 182 x 356 km. The inclination suggests release from the Falcon 9 into a similar orbit (around 350 km) as USA 277 (OTV-5). |
| Orbit classified as 'Secret' - data withheld | | USA 297
2017-052E
45171 |
Re-entered - unknown date
|
| Satellite of unknown purpose. Neither formally acknowledged nor catalogued until 2020 February 11. A US filing for the satellite lodged with the United Nations in 2020 and published early 2021 listed the inclination as 56°.9 and the orbit height as 182 x 356 km. The inclination suggests release from the Falcon 9 into a similar orbit (around 350 km) as USA 277 (OTV-5). |
| Orbit classified as 'Secret' - data withheld | | Falcon 9 upper stage
2017-052B
42933 |
Re-entered - 2017 Sep 7
Life <1 day
|
| Launched USA 277 (OTV-5/X-37B). Manoeuvred to 63° inclination orbit after releasing OTV-5, possibly as a re-start/burn test. Released the three smaller USA satellites carried on the launch. Caused to re-enter above the Indian Ocean about four hours after launch on its third circuit of the Earth. |
| Orbit classified as 'Secret' - data withheld | |
Mission 6
2020-029 Atlas V 501
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station |
2020 May 17, 13:14 |
USA 299 (OTV-6, X-37B#1 Flight 3)
2020-029A
45606 |
Re-entered - 2022 Nov 12
Life 909 days
Returned to Earth |
| Flight of USAF/Boeing X-37B space plane. First to be equipped with a service module. Launch delayed from May 16 by weather. The first orbit listed is an estimate, subsequent orbits are based on amateur observation. Landed on the Kennedy Space Center runway 2022 Nov 12 at 10:22 UTC. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| 2020 May 17, 13:18 | 6731 | 0.0012 | 344 | 361 | 91.59 | 44.95 | 70 | | | | 2020 May 31, 01:34 | 6767 | 0.0002 | 388 | 391 | 92.34 | 44.96 | 104 | | | | 2020 Jun 14, 02:13 | 6765 | 0.0005 | 384 | 390 | 92.29 | 45.02 | 65 | | | | 2021 Oct 17, 17:51 | 6766 | 0.0003 | 386 | 390 | 92.31 | 45.04 | 119 | | | | 2021 Oct 28, 00:16 | 6714 | 0.0020 | 322 | 349 | 91.24 | 45.04 | 288 | | | | 2022 Apr 11, 17:11 | 6714 | 0.0011 | 328 | 343 | 91.24 | 45.03 | 251 | | | | 2022 Oct 04, 16:11 | 6714 | 0.0008 | 330 | 341 | 91.24 | 45.03 | 293 | | | | USA 300
2020-029B
45610 |
in space
|
| Small satellite released from USA 299, probably from the service module and probably 2020 May 28 or May 29. Purpose unknown. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| estimated orbit | 6767 | 0.0002 | 388 | 391 | 92.34 | 44.96 | 104 | | | | FalconSAT 8
2020-029C
49381 |
in space
|
| Small satellite released from USA 299, possibly as late as 2021 Nov 1. Carries five experiments/demonstrations built by cadets at the US Air Force Academy. |
| Orbit parameters awaited | | Atlas V upper stage
uncatalogued
|
Re-entered - 2020 May 17
Life <1 day
|
| Launched USA 299 (OTV-6/X-37B). Caused to re-enter above southern Indian Ocean about 55 minutes after launch. |
| Not Catalogued - orbit parameters unavailable | | X-37B service module
2020-029D
54246 |
Re-entered - 2022 Nov 19
Life 916 days
|
| Supported X-37b/OTX-6 while in space. No longer in orbit, re-entry date to be confirmed. |
epoch (UTC) | s-m axis
( km ) | ecc | perigee
( km ) | apogee
( km ) | period
( min ) | incl
( ° ) | ω
( ° ) | | |
| 2022 Nov 13, 19:29 | 6614 | 0.0004 | 234 | 239 | 89.23 | 45.03 | 25 | | | | 2022 Nov 16, 14:14 | 6603 | 0.0004 | 222 | 228 | 89.00 | 45.03 | 29 | | | | 2022 Nov 17, 12:24 | 6599 | 0.0004 | 218 | 223 | 88.91 | 45.03 | 41 | | | |
Page date: 2020 Mar 13
Orbits updated as needed
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