SpaceX to Launch 14th NRO Proliferated Mission on June 19 as Falcon 9 Nears 71st Flight
Updated
Updated · Space.com · Jun 18
SpaceX to Launch 14th NRO Proliferated Mission on June 19 as Falcon 9 Nears 71st Flight
3 articles · Updated · Space.com · Jun 18
Summary
A Falcon 9 is set to lift off from Vandenberg at 4:40 a.m. EDT Friday on NROL-179, carrying another batch of classified U.S. spy satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office.
NROL-179 is the 14th mission building the NRO's new proliferated architecture, a network of large and small satellites meant to deliver more signals and imagery with greater resilience in a higher-threat environment.
The first stage is scheduled to return to Landing Zone 4 less than eight minutes after launch; it will be the third flight for that booster, and SpaceX's livestream will end soon after landing at the NRO's request.
Friday's mission would be SpaceX's 71st Falcon 9 launch of 2026, extending a rapid cadence in which 57 of the first 70 flights this year supported the company's Starlink constellation.