The Boeing-built X-37B space plane will launch from Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39A for its eighth mission in just over 15 years. The spacecraft will carry a quantum inertial sensor described as the highest performing tested in space to demonstrate precise positioning, navigation, and timing in GPS-denied environments. The mission will also demonstrate high-bandwidth inter-satellite laser communications intended to strengthen resilience, reliability, adaptability, and data transport speeds of satellite communications architectures. The tests aim to provide robust navigation beyond Earth-based orbits, including cis-lunar space, and backup navigation if GPS satellites are disrupted or targeted.
"the highest performing quantum inertial sensor ever tested in space,"
"The revolutionary quantum inertial sensor will demonstrate precise positioning, navigation, and timing in a GPS-denied environment."
"Whether navigating beyond Earth-based orbits in cis-lunar space or operating in GPS-denied environments, quantum inertial sensing allows for robust navigation capabilities where GPS navigation is not possible,"
"strengthen the resilience, reliability, adaptability, and data transport speeds of our satellite communications architectures,"
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