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Mission


NROL-113

  • Type: Government/Top Secret
  • Orbit: Unknown
  • Launch Cost: $52,000,000

Third batch of satellites for a reconnaissance satellite constellation built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for the National Reconnaissance Office to provide imaging and other reconnaissance capabilities.

NROL-113

Location


Space Launch Complex 4E

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Space Launch Complex 4E has witnessed the launch of 158 rockets, including 158 orbital launch attempts, while Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA, has been the site for 770 rocket launches.

Space Launch Complex 4E

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.

Falcon 9 Block 5

Landing


Core B1063

Booster B1063 last launched 09/06/2024 and has seen 20 successful launches and landings. Notable launches include Sentinel-6 and Dart.

Of Course I Still Love You – OCISLY

The second ASDS barge, Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) services launches in the Pacific Ocean and was the site of the first landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage during CRS-8, the launch of a Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station.

Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship – ASDS

An autonomous spaceport drone ship (ASDS) is an ocean-going vessel derived from a deck barge, outfitted with station-keeping engines and a large landing platform. Construction of such ships was commissioned by aerospace company SpaceX to allow for recovery of rocket first-stages at sea for high-velocity missions which do not carry enough fuel to return to the launch site after lofting spacecraft onto an orbital trajectory.

B1063

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.

SpaceX
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Ken & Judy O
Ken & Judy O' Neill
26 days ago

Long live SPACEX…….

Aaron Gosnell
Aaron Gosnell
18 days ago

Enough delays!Fix your little problems and light this candle!

Phill
Phill
Reply to  Aaron Gosnell
16 days ago

Yea, like it’s not rocket science guys.

Ken & Judy O
Ken & Judy O' Neill
Reply to  Phill
13 days ago

Just a little involved we think…..there is a button on the side that says “GO”.

Michael Skewes
Michael Skewes
Reply to  Aaron Gosnell
14 days ago

It’s not rocket rocket surgery as David Lee Roth use tosay!

Matthew
Matthew
14 days ago

Anyone have any insights on the launch tomorrow evening? It is a four hour trip for me to get to the launch site and these military payloads seem to slip often.

Rocket Monkey
Rocket Monkey
Admin
Reply to  Matthew
14 days ago

As of right now the launch is go. Check the status here just before you leave and on the drive over. Barring any technical or weather issues the launch should happen.

Chris
Chris
14 days ago

whats the trajectory?

Rocket Monkey
Rocket Monkey
Admin
Reply to  Chris
14 days ago

The trajectory is not public until the last minute for these top secret launches. Check back for updates.

Ken & Judy O
Ken & Judy O' Neill
Reply to  Chris
13 days ago

Up & away we hope.?

Jonathan
Jonathan
13 days ago

Will it be visible from Los Angeles?

Rocket Monkey
Rocket Monkey
Admin
Reply to  Jonathan
13 days ago

You should be able to see the launch from LA as long as the clouds and weather cooperates.

Andy Ortiz
Andy Ortiz
Reply to  Rocket Monkey
13 days ago

Is it me or do the launches have more of a wow effect pre or slightly post sunset? I happen to see two launches that were around midnight and they were not so bright. Is it the sun reflecting off of the vapor/spent fuel trail that gives it that special… Read more »

Rocket Monkey
Rocket Monkey
Admin
Reply to  Andy Ortiz
13 days ago

Absolutely, it is called the Jellyfish effect. Watch our video about it to learn more: https://youtu.be/tIUeX8wjV9g

michael
michael
Reply to  Jonathan
13 days ago

you will be able to see it if you don’t melt first!

Verlin
Verlin
13 days ago

Can we see this from Phoenix?

Nigel
Nigel
Reply to  Verlin
11 days ago

Yes! Also from Salome and Gilbert.

Kyra
Kyra
13 days ago

Will we be able to see it in west central Az

Ken & Judy O
Ken & Judy O' Neill
13 days ago

Fantastic .!!!!!!!