During its secretive mission, the X-37B will test new laser communications gear and a "quantum" navigation sensor.

OTV-8 is the third X-37B mission to launch on a SpaceX rocket. (Two have employed Falcon 9s and one lifted off on a Falcon Heavy ). The other five flew atop United Launch Alliance's workhorse Atlas V, which is now being phased out in favor of the company's new Vulcan Centaur.

Aug. 21 (UPI) -- SpaceX launched an experimental space plane for the U.S. Space Force from Florida late Thursday. A Falcon 9 rocket launched the Space Force's X-37B space plane from Kennedy Space Center at 11:50 p.m. EDT. "Liftoff!" SpaceX said on X in celebration following the launch.