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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, built by Boeing (NYSE:BA), a prominent player in the Aerospace & Defense sector with a market capitalization of $174 billion, launched on its eighth mission Friday at 11:50 PM ET from Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, according to a company press release. The company’s stock has shown strong momentum, gaining over 26% in the past six months according to InvestingPro data.
The reusable spaceplane returns to orbit less than six months after completing its seventh mission, which ended with a landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on March 7, 2025.
For this mission, Boeing has equipped the vehicle with an integrated service module to increase payload capacity for on-orbit experiments. The X-37B is carrying several technology demonstrations from government partners, including laser communications systems and a quantum inertial sensor designed to support navigation when GPS is unavailable.
"Our role is to make sure the spaceplane is the most reliable testbed it can be," said Michelle Parker, vice president of Boeing Space Mission Systems, in the statement.
During its previous mission, the X-37B performed what Boeing described as a first-of-its-kind aerobraking maneuver to change orbits while conserving propellant.
The X-37B program is a government-industry partnership led by the U.S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, with the U.S. Space Force overseeing operations. Boeing teams based primarily in Seal Beach, California, and Kennedy Space Center handle the design, building, integration and operation of the spaceplane.
Since its first flight in 2010, the orbital test vehicle has completed seven missions and accumulated more than 4,200 days in space, returning after each flight for inspection and modifications. For detailed insights into Boeing’s financial health, growth prospects, and 8 additional exclusive ProTips, visit InvestingPro, where you’ll find comprehensive analysis in the Pro Research Report, part of our coverage of 1,400+ top US stocks.
In other recent news, Boeing delivered 48 aircraft in July, marking its highest July delivery total since 2017. This figure represents a decrease from June’s 60 deliveries but is an increase compared to the same month last year. Additionally, Boeing’s Defense, Space & Security division secured a $79.7 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense for E-4B aircraft maintenance. The contract covers maintenance, repair, and engineering services for the E-4B aircraft. In merger news, Boeing received clearance from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority to proceed with its acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. This regulatory approval allows the merger to move forward without further investigation in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, Ryanair’s CEO expressed optimism about achieving summer targets, praising Boeing for delivering aircraft ahead of schedule. Lastly, reports have surfaced about potential large aircraft orders from China for both Boeing and Airbus, though no official comments have been made by the involved parties.
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