ULA OTV-4 (X-37B) (USA 261) (AFSPC-5) & ULTRASat cubesat deployer Atlas V 501
Rocket Launch Video Stream
About the OTV-4 (X-37B) (USA 261) ( AFSPC-5) & ULTRASat cubesat deployer Mission
| Type | Government/Top Secret |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Low Earth Orbit |
| Launch Cost | $120,000,000 |
It is the second flight of the second Boeing X-37B vehicle and the fourth 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 OTV-4 mission was to test Aerojet Rocketdyne's XR-5A Hall-effect thruster and conduct a NASA investigation for testing various materials in space. The mission concluded after 717 days in orbit, marking the first time X-37B landed on the Shuttle Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center.
Launch Pad & Location
Space Launch Complex 41
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
| Launches | 125 |
|---|---|
| Orbital Launch Attempts | 125 |
| Total Launches | 1130 |
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.
ULA Atlas V 501 Rocket
Atlas V with 5m Fairing, 0 SRB, 1 Centaur upper stage engine.
| Length | 58.3 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 3.8 m |
| Stages | 1-2 |
| Launch Mass | 334.0 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 3,827.0 kN |
| Apogee | 40,000.0 km |
| LEO Capacity | 8,210 kg |
| GTO Capacity | 3,780 kg |
| Launch Cost | $120,000,000 |
| Maiden Flight | 4/22/2010 |
Mission Spacecraft
X-37B 2
X-37B 2 (2) was the spacecraft used for this mission. It is a Boeing Spaceplane designed for It is boosted into space by a launch vehicle, then re-enters Earth's atmosphere and lands as a spaceplane. The X-37 is operated by the United States Space Force for orbital spaceflight missions intended to demonstrate reusable space technologies. and traveled to Low Earth Orbit.
Second X-37B. First flight on March 5, 2011. The Boeing X-37, also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), is a reusable robotic spacecraft. It is boosted into space by a launch vehicle, then re-enters Earth's atmosphere and lands as a spaceplane. The X-37 is operated by the United States Space Force for orbital spaceflight missions intended to demonstrate reusable space technologies. It is a 120-percent-scaled derivative of the earlier Boeing X-40. The X-37 began as a NASA project in 1999, before being transferred to the United States Department of Defense in 2004. Until 2019, the program was managed by Air Force Space Command. Multiple years in orbit
| Type | Spaceplane |
|---|---|
| Agency | Boeing |
| Serial Number | 2 |
| Status | Active |
| Destination | Low Earth Orbit |
| Maiden Flight | 4/22/2010 |
| Mission End | 5/7/2017 |
| Flights | 4 |
| Human Rated | No |
| Height | 8.9 m |
| Diameter | 4.6 m |
| Payload Capacity | 227 kg |
About ULA
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. ULA launches from both coasts of the US. They launch their Atlas V vehicle from LC-41 in Cape Canaveral and LC-3E at Vandeberg. Their Delta IV launches from LC-37 at Cape Canaveral and LC-6 at Vandenberg.
| Total Launches | 175 |
|---|---|
| Successful | 175 |
| Pending | 73 |
| Consecutive Success | 175 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the ULA Atlas V 501 OTV-4 (X-37B) (USA 261) ( AFSPC-5) & ULTRASat cubesat deployer launch scheduled?
The ULA Atlas V 501 OTV-4 (X-37B) (USA 261) ( AFSPC-5) & ULTRASat cubesat deployer launch was scheduled for:
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Where can I watch the ULA Atlas V 501 OTV-4 (X-37B) (USA 261) ( AFSPC-5) & ULTRASat cubesat deployer launch video?
You can watch the ULA Atlas V 501 launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the ULA Atlas V 501 OTV-4 (X-37B) (USA 261) ( AFSPC-5) & ULTRASat cubesat deployer mission launch from?
The ULA Atlas V 501 rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA. Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.
What rocket was used for the OTV-4 (X-37B) (USA 261) ( AFSPC-5) & ULTRASat cubesat deployer mission?
The OTV-4 (X-37B) (USA 261) ( AFSPC-5) & ULTRASat cubesat deployer mission launched aboard a ULA Atlas V 501 rocket. Atlas V with 5m Fairing, 0 SRB, 1 Centaur upper stage engine. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the ULA Atlas V 501 OTV-4 (X-37B) (USA 261) ( AFSPC-5) & ULTRASat cubesat deployer launch?
The ULA Atlas V 501 OTV-4 (X-37B) (USA 261) ( AFSPC-5) & ULTRASat cubesat deployer launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the ULA Atlas V 501 OTV-4 (X-37B) (USA 261) ( AFSPC-5) & ULTRASat cubesat deployer launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest ULA Atlas V 501 launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the OTV-4 (X-37B) (USA 261) ( AFSPC-5) & ULTRASat cubesat deployer mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official ULA live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.
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