SpaceX Falcon Heavy Launches Classified NRO Mission from Kennedy Space Center Written 2 October 2026
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SpaceX launches a Falcon Heavy from KSC on a classified mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. Liftoff from Launch Complex 39A occurred Oct. 1, 2026, at 11:53 p.m. EDT. | Credit: Spaceflight Now; YouTube; Framegrab
Spaceflight Now reports a SpaceX Falcon Heavy launched a classified National Reconnaissance Office mission from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center late Thursday, marking the rocket’s first flight for the U.S. spy satellite agency. Codenamed NROL-97, the mission lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at 11:54 p.m. EDT and “took a north-easterly trajectory” after departing Florida’s Space Coast. SpaceX successfully landed both Falcon Heavy side boosters following the launch.
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)
Video
SpaceX Falcon Heavy launches its first mission for U.S. spy satellite agency (Launch occurs at the 2:01:20 mark).
Spaceflight Now; YouTube