Boeing has successfully returned an unmanned US Air Force X-37B orbital test vehicle to orbit, continuing to demonstrate how the system provides responsive, reusable access to space. An Atlas V rocket launched OTV-1, the first of two vehicles in the programme, into a low Earth orbit at 1:03 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 41.

The X-37B, which combines the best of aircraft and spacecraft design in an unmanned test platform, is testing reusable vehicle technologies dealing with space experimentation, risk reduction and concept-of-operations development.

“The second mission for OTV-1 demonstrates the vehicle is capable of multiple missions and affordable access to space,” said Paul Rusnock, Vice President of Boeing Government Space Systems.