Tags: United Launch Aliance, Atlas V, Air Force, OTV
Publication: RTTNews.com
Publication Date: 10/19/2012

The Atlas V rocket launching the OTV-2 mission in March 2011. Image credit: United Launch Alliance

United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is scheduled for launch carrying the U.S. Air Force’s third Orbital Test Vehicle X-37B, a highly secret unmanned spacecraft.

The X-37B is the most advanced re-entry spacecraft capable of returning experiments to Earth for additional examination. The first mission was launched in April 2010 and spent 224 days in orbit, and the second mission spent 469 days in orbit after its launch in March that same year. This third mission of the X-37B OTV will launch on October 30, 2012 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

This will mark the 34th launch for the Atlas V rocket since its inauguration in 2002.

 Full story