SpaceX, USSF-36, OTV-8, August 21, 2025

SpaceX USSF-36 OTV-8 launching on Thursday, August 21, 2025
SpaceX USSF-36 OTV-8 launching on Thursday, August 21, 2025
Photo: Charles Boyer

SpaceX launched their 101st Falcon 9 mission of 2025 last night from Kennedy Space Center when the company sent the Boeing X-37 space plane to low Earth orbit on a classified mission. Liftoff was at 11:50 PM EDT, shortly after the opening of the launch window.

Following a “norminal” initial ascent and stage separation, Falcon 9 first-stage booster B1092 touched down at Landing Zone 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, concluding its sixth flight successfully about 8 miles away from its starting point. This booster previously launched NROL-69, CRS-32, GPS III-7, and two Starlink missions and will soon be transported for refurbishment at SpaceX’s Hangar X facility at Kennedy Space Center.

After stage separation, the second's stage's flame plume illuminates the cold gas thrust from the first stage.
After stage separation, the second’s stage’s flame plume illuminates the cold gas thrust from the first stage.

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