USA-299

USA-299, also referred to as USSF-7 and Orbital Test Vehicle 6 (OTV-6), is the third flight of the first Boeing X-37B, an American unmanned vertical-takeoff, horizontal-landing spaceplane. It was launched to low Earth orbit aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle from SLC-41 on 17 May 2020. Its mission designation is part of the USA series.

USA-299
Ground crew approaching the X-37B that conducted USA-299 shortly after it landed on 12 November 2022
NamesOrbital Test Vehicle 6
OTV-6
Mission typeU.S. Space Force classified satellite
OperatorUnited States Space Force
COSPAR ID2020-029A
SATCAT no.45606
Mission duration908 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeBoeing X-37B
ManufacturerBoeing
Launch mass5,400 kg (11,900 lb)[1]
PowerDeployable solar array, batteries
Start of mission
Launch date17 May 2020, 13:14:00 UTC
RocketAtlas V 501 (AV-081)
Launch siteCape Canaveral, SLC-41
ContractorUnited Launch Alliance
End of mission
Landing date12 November 2022, 10:22 UTC
Landing siteShuttle Landing Facility
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude388 km (241 mi)
Apogee altitude404 km (251 mi)
Inclination44.60°
OTV program
 

The spaceplane is operated by the United States Space Force, which considers the mission classified and as such has not revealed the objectives. However an unclassified secondary satellite, FalconSat-8, was deployed from the X-37B soon after launch.[2]

Mission

OTV-6 is the third mission for the first X-37B built, and the sixth X-37B mission overall. It flew on an Atlas V in the 501 configuration, and launched from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.[3] 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 an inclination of approximately 44.60°.[4]

OTV-6 landed after a record-breaking 908 days at the Shuttle Landing Facility on November 12, 2022.[5]

FalconSat-8

A rideshare payload for the United 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:

  • MEP (Magnetic gradient Electrostatic Plasma thruster), a novel electromagnetic propulsion system
  • MMA (Metamaterial antenna), a low power, high performance antenna
  • CANOE (CArbon NanOtubes Experiment)
  • ACES (Attitude Control and Energy Storage), a commercial reaction wheel modified into a flywheel
  • SkyPad, off-the-shelf cameras and GPUs integrated into a low power package

See also

References

  1. "X-37B OTV 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6". Gunter's Space Page. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  2. "FalconSat 8". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  3. Graham, William (16 May 2020). "ULA Atlas V launches sixth mission for X-37B spaceplane". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  4. "OTV-6 Launch". zarya.info. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  5. Wall, Mike (12 November 2022). "US military's X-37B space plane lands, ending record-breaking mystery mission". space.com. Space.com. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
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