45th Space Wing launches 4th Orbital Test Vehicle

by 45th Space Wing
Public Affairs

5/20/2015 - CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla.  -- The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a United Launch Alliance-built Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle at 11:05 a.m. EST, May 20, 2015, from Space Launch Complex 41 here.

The Atlas V rocket carried into Low Earth Orbit an X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), marking the fourth space flight for the X-37B program.

In addition to the OTV, the Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center, in coordination with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), launched ten CubeSats as part of a secondary payload on board the Centaur upper stage.

Col. Thomas Falzarano, 45th Operations Group commander, who also served as the Launch Decision Authority for this mission, thanked Team Patrick-Cape and all of the mission partners who made this launch a success.

"The 45th Space Wing is justifiably proud to play a pivotal role in this very important mission and to partner with the NRO and SMC as we continually join forces with mission partners and lean forward to build the 'Spaceport of the Future here' on the Eastern Range," he said.

The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle is led by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, and is designed to demonstrate reusable spacecraft technologies for America's future in space and operate experiments which can be returned to, and examined, on Earth.