NROL-108
Falcon 9 Block 5
SpaceX
Rocket Launch Videos
Weather Forecast During Launch
According to weather officials, there's a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch.
Mission
NROL-108
- Type: Government/Top Secret
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
- Launch Cost: $52,000,000
Learn more about the NROL mission
Classified payload for NRO.
Location
Launch Complex 39A
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
Find the best place to watch the launch from Florida
Launch Complex 39A has witnessed the launch of 221 rockets, including 220 orbital launch attempts. While Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA, has been the site for 279 rocket launches.
The John F. Kennedy Space Center, located on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of NASA's ten field centers. Since 1968, KSC has been NASA's primary launch center of American spaceflight, research, and technology. Launch operations for the Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs were carried out from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 and managed by KSC. Located on the east coast of Florida, KSC is adjacent to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS).
Rocket
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
Landing
Core B1059
B1059 has successfully landed back at LZ-1 after its fifth launch. Booster B1059 last launched 02/16/2021 and has seen 5 successful launches and landings. Exploded upon ocean impact a safe distance from OCISLY
A sonic boom is likely to occur a few minutes after launch as the booster returns to the launch site. Be prepared for a loud but thrilling experience! Learn more about rocket launch sonic booms
Landing Zone 1 - LZ-1
LZ-1 Pad located at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at the previous LC-13.
Return to Launch Site - RTLS
A return to launch site usually means that after stage separation the booster flips and does a burn back towards the launch site, landing near where it initially launched from.
Agency
SpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies Corp., known as SpaceX, is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California. It was founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX operates from many pads, on the East Coast of the US they operate from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and historic LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. They also operate from SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, usually for polar launches. Another launch site is being developed at Boca Chica, Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the SpaceX Falcon 9 NROL-108 launch scheduled?
The SpaceX Falcon 9 NROL-108 launch was scheduled for:
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Where can I watch the SpaceX Falcon 9 NROL-108 launch video?
You can watch the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the SpaceX Falcon 9 NROL-108 mission launch from?
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA. The John F. Kennedy Space Center, located on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of NASA's ten field centers. Since 1968, KSC has been NASA's primary launch center of American spaceflight, research, and technology. Launch operations for the Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs were carried out from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 and managed by KSC. Located on the east coast of Florida, KSC is adjacent to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS).
What rocket was used for the NROL-108 mission?
The NROL-108 mission launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
Did the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster for NROL-108 attempt a landing?
Yes, the Falcon 9 first stage booster attempted a Return to Launch Site at a designated landing zone. Booster recovery allows SpaceX to reuse rocket components, significantly reducing launch costs. Learn more about the landing details.
What weather conditions could have delayed the SpaceX Falcon 9 NROL-108 launch?
The SpaceX Falcon 9 NROL-108 launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the SpaceX Falcon 9 NROL-108 launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest SpaceX Falcon 9 launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the NROL-108 mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official SpaceX live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.