U.S., Aug. 22 -- The Boeing-built X-37B lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 at 11:50 p.m. Eastern time on Aug. 21.

On this latest mission - it's 8th - the spaceplane is hosting a service module to expand its capacity to carry experiments.

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Reusability allows the X-37B to fly, improve, and repeat, shortening the time from concept to dependable capability for the U.S. Space Force.

"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. "None o...