← Back to launch history

Atlas V 501 | OTV-3 (X-37B) (USA-240)

Atlas V 501 | OTV-3 (X-37B) (USA-240)

Status: Success  |  Launched: Dec 11, 2012 18:03 UTC

Launch Provider & Rocket

Mission

It is the second flight of the first Boeing X-37B vehicle and the third flight of the program. United States Air Force Orbital Test Vehicle is an unmanned 5000 kg, 8.8 m-long reusable mini-spaceplane capable of autonomous re-entry and landing. The specific identity of the spaceship's payload or the mission objectives were not revealed. The mission concluded after 674 days in orbit.

  • Type: Government/Top Secret
  • Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

Launch Site

  • Pad: Space Launch Complex 41
  • Location: Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
  • View on map

Launch data sourced automatically from the Launch Library 2 API. Last refreshed: 2026-08-22T21:02:10.804714+00:00.