Atlas 5 serves as X-37B's booster rocket

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket blasted off Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 1:03 p.m. EST from Cape Canaveral's Complex 41 carrying the original X-37B spaceplane back into orbit to demonstrate reusability of the miniature military space shuttle.

See our Mission Status Center for the latest news on the launch.

Photo credit: Pat Corkery/United Launch Alliance

Expedition 29 Patch
Space models