SpaceX launches NROL-145 mission with a Falcon 9 rocket

Today, SpaceX lifted off a new Falcon 9 launch vehicle with NROL-145 mission to orbit. The rocket launch was carried from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Station in California.

This is NRO’s first proliferated mission in partnership with US Space Force’s Space System Command for National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 contracts announced in October last year and expanded in March.

The Lane 1 is focusing on rapid and continue development of a reliable domestic industrial base for commercial-like launch services for the NSSL program.

“Today’s mission is launching only six months after the @SpaceForceDoD announced Falcon 9 will launch new national security missions in October 2024. NROL-145 is the first of the new @NatReconOfc missions along with upcoming @SemperCitiusSDA launches” wrote SpaceX.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California (Source – SpaceX)

This was the 12th flight for the first stage booster, which previously supported the following missions:

• USSF-62
• OneWeb Launch 20,
• Nine Starlink missions

After stage separation, the booster returned to the landing site and marked the final burn before drawing landing legs on Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean. To be mentioned, NROL-145 is a national security mission and SpaceX will be keeping its orbit position classified.

(source)