UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE

Atlas V 501 | OTV-2 (X-37B) (USA-226)

Name: Atlas V 501 | OTV-2 (X-37B) (USA-226)
Start: 2011-03-05T22:46:00+00:00
End: 2011-03-05T23:01:00+00:00
Location: Space Launch Complex 41

SUCCESS Atlas V 501 →

—

Mar 5, 2011 at 22:46 UTC

Low Earth Orbit Government/Top Secret Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA 100% success

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Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking

PADSpace Launch Complex 41

SITECape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA →

ORBITLow Earth Orbit

TYPEGovernment/Top Secret

MISSION OVERVIEW

It is the first flight of the second Boeing X-37B, a United States Air Force Orbital Test Vehicle 2, which is an unmanned 5000 kg, 8.8 m-long reusable mini-spaceplane capable of autonomous re-entry and landing. The OTV-2 mission was designed to test new technologies, however the specific identity of the spaceship’s payload was not revealed. The mission concluded after 468 days in orbit.

LAUNCH DETAILS

VEHICLE

Atlas V 501

AGENCY

United Launch Alliance

MISSION

OTV-2 (X-37B) (USA-226)

MISSION TYPE

Government/Top Secret

TARGET ORBIT

Low Earth Orbit

LAUNCH PAD

Space Launch Complex 41

LAUNCH SITE

Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

COUNTRY

USA

LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION

CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute

LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY

API ID: 28d44a8a-0574-4d2b-85be-8a45a560b70f

Reported date: Mar 5, 2011 at 22:46 UTC

Last synced: 2 minutes ago

This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.

LAUNCH MAP

PAD WEATHER

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X-37B — X-37B 2

2SERIAL

4FLIGHTS

Low Earth OrbitDESTINATION

ActiveSTATUS

FLIGHT-PROVEN CAPSULE

Second X-37B. First flight on March 5, 2011.

VEHICLE — Atlas V 501 →

MANUFACTURER

United Launch Alliance

VARIANT

501

FLIGHTS

SUCCESSES

SUCCESS RATE

100%

Atlas V with 5m Fairing, 0 SRB, 1 Centaur upper stage engine.

LAUNCH VIDEOS

ARTICLES & COVERAGE

🔗 Atlas V OTV-2 Launch Highlights

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When is the Atlas V 501 | OTV-2 (X-37B) (USA-226) launch?

The Atlas V 501 | OTV-2 (X-37B) (USA-226) is scheduled for Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 10:46 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.

What rocket is being used for OTV-2 (X-37B) (USA-226)?

The Atlas V 501 | OTV-2 (X-37B) (USA-226) mission uses the Atlas V 501 rocket, manufactured by United Launch Alliance. The Atlas V 501 has flown 8 times with a 100% success rate.

Where is the Atlas V 501 | OTV-2 (X-37B) (USA-226) launching from?

The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.

What orbit is OTV-2 (X-37B) (USA-226) going to?

The OTV-2 (X-37B) (USA-226) mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.

Who is launching OTV-2 (X-37B) (USA-226)?

The Atlas V 501 | OTV-2 (X-37B) (USA-226) is operated by United Launch Alliance.

Can I watch the Atlas V 501 | OTV-2 (X-37B) (USA-226) launch live?

Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.

LAUNCH TIMELINE

Mar 29, 2026 00:02 UTC

Launch added to tracker

Imported from Launch Library 2 API

Mar 29, 2026 00:02 UTC

Launch date set: Mar 5, 2011 at 22:46 UTC

NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by United Launch Alliance

Mar 29, 2026 00:02 UTC

Launch completed successfully

Updated via Launch Library 2

LIVE DATA SOURCES

Last data sync: 2 minutes ago

Launch ID: 28d44a8a-0574-4d2b-85be-8a45a560b70f

Pad weather at 28.58, -80.58

BROWSE BY

United Launch Alliance95 launches Atlas312 launches Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USALaunch Site

Mission Profile

OTV-2 (X-37B) (USA-226) was a Atlas V 501 mission operated by United Launch Alliance that lifted off from Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on March 5, 2011. The flight carried its payload on a government/top secret mission to Low Earth Orbit. The launch was a success.

Atlas V 501 | OTV-2 (X-37B) (USA-226)

Mission Profile

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