An Atlas V rocket sends a secret US space plane into orbit [Updated]

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  The X-37B is shown inside the rocket's payload fairing. [credit: ULA ]

9:30am ET Sunday Update: With more favorable weather than on Saturday, an Atlas V rocket made a smooth launch from Florida on Sunday morning at 9:14am ET (13:13 UTC). The booster sent an X-37B space plane into orbit for the US Space Force, where the uncrewed vehicle is likely to remain for a couple of years before returning to Earth.

7:15am ET Sunday Update: After Saturday's scrub due to a poor weather, an Atlas V rocket is again being prepared for launch on Sunday morning. As of two hours before the launch window opens, weather conditions are go. And launch weather officer Jessica Williams predicts an 80-percent chance of acceptable conditions at the opening of the window, at 9:14am ET (13:14 UTC).

The webcast for the launch of the Space Force's secretive space plane, embedded below, will open about 20 minutes before that time.

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