SpaceX is set to launch a pioneering set of spy satellites for the US government on May 22.
A Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch the NROL-146 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) on Monday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California during a 2.5-hour window beginning at 4 a.m. EDT (0800 GMT; 1 p.m. local California Time).
It said the mission marked the first launch of the NRO’s enhanced system, which includes responsive collection and rapid data delivery.
“Our nation’s emerging threats and challenges require continued vigilance, innovation and agility,” NRO Director Chris Scolis said in a statement.
“The launched NROL-146 mission reflects NRO’s commitment to developing innovative, faster, and more flexible technologies and providing greater capabilities to our [intelligence community, Department of Defense] and allied partners. These systems provide critical information are those that can only be obtained from this facility point in space.”
The NRO did not elaborate on the payload or its capability, which has been typical of its previous launches. No video was taken of the separation of the Falcon 9 rocket, which is common for other SpaceX flights.
“Over the next decade, we will continue to increase the number of satellites operating in multiple orbits – complementing NRO’s state-of-the-art, highly capable satellites that are NRO’s traditional hallmark – by adding responsive, dispersive systems,” NRO Principal Deputy said director Troy Meinke.
If all goes according to plan, the Falcon 9 first stage will return safely to Earth today. It is scheduled to land about 8 minutes after takeoff on the SpaceX droneship Of Course I Still Love You, which will be deployed in the Pacific Ocean. According to SpaceX mission details, this will be the 16th launch and landing for this particular booster.
That description does not specify where the satellites are going or give an expected time for their deployment, details SpaceX typically includes for unclassified missions.
Wednesday morning’s launch will be the 52nd orbital launch for SpaceX, already in 2024. Of the 51 launches so far this year, 36 have been dedicated to building out the company’s Starlink broadband constellation.
