A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off late Thursday, propelling a reusable X-37B Space Force rocket plane into space on a classified long-duration mission.

Axar.az informs, citing CBS news, it was the eighth such flight since the program's debut in 2010 and the first since a 434-day mission ended last March.

The US Space Force has said the drone’s mission will include “a wide range of test and experimentation objectives.”

“These operational demonstrations and experiments comprise next-generation technologies including laser communications and the highest performing quantum inertial sensor ever tested in space,” the service said in a statement last month.

“Mission 8 will contribute to improving the resilience, efficiency and security of U.S. space-based communications architectures,” it added.