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NROL-85

Falcon 9 Block 5

SpaceX

Launch Status
Success

Mission

NROL-85

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

Classified payload for the US National Reconnaissance Office.

Trajectory

View the rocket launch trajectory, velocity, altitude, thrust and much more at FlightClub.io

Mission patch for NROL-85

Location

Space Launch Complex 4E

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

719 rockets have launched from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.

Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Rocket

Falcon 9 Block 5 – SpaceX

  • Family: Falcon
  • Length: 70 m
  • Diameter: 3.65 m
  • Launch Mass: 549 T
  • Low Earth Orbit Capacity: 22800 kg

The Falcon 9 Block 5 was manufactured by SpaceX with the first launch on 2018-05-11. Falcon 9 Block 5 has 171 successful launches and 0 failed launches with a total of 171 launches. 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.

Core Landing

B1071 has successfully landed back at its launch site after its second flight.

Landing Zone 4 – LZ-4

LZ at Vandenberg

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 – SpX

  • Type: Commercial
  • Abbreviation: SpX
  • Administration: CEO: Elon Musk
  • Founded: 2002
  • Launchers: Falcon | Starship
  • Spacecraft: Dragon
  • Country: USA

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.

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17 Comments
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Judy & Ken
Judy & Ken
1 year ago

To space for humanity.!

Neil Armstrong
Neil Armstrong
1 year ago

Is this local time?

Rocket Monkey
Rocket Monkey
Admin
Reply to  Neil Armstrong
1 year ago

The time should be displayed in your current location.

Ken & Judy O
Ken & Judy O' Neill
Reply to  Neil Armstrong
1 year ago

Neil Armstrong.! great name .

Aaron Gosnell
Aaron Gosnell
1 year ago

This will be a RTLS!

Brian Kays
Brian Kays
1 year ago

how do you know what launch pad is being used?

Rocket Monkey
Rocket Monkey
Admin
Reply to  Brian Kays
1 year ago

It is listed under the location section

Kip Baumann
Kip Baumann
1 year ago

What are the weather/wind requirements to avoid postponement? Probability?

Nigel
Nigel
Reply to  Kip Baumann
1 year ago

Sustained wind at the launch pad in excess of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph), upper-level conditions containing wind shear, a cloud layer greater than 4,500 feet (1,400 m) thick that extends into freezing temperatures, other things like lighting, heavy rain also can delay/cancel launch.

Nigel
Nigel
1 year ago

Refugio, El Cap and Gaviota SB are good spots, Jalama even better.

Steve
Steve
1 year ago

This launch was pushed to Saturday at 6:27 AM

Mike Yost
Mike Yost
1 year ago

Is there a livestream available?

Rocket Monkey
Rocket Monkey
Admin
Reply to  Mike Yost
1 year ago

Yes, click on the watch online button at the top of the page close to launch time.

Andrew
Andrew
1 year ago

Does anyone know the heading of Saturday falcon launch, weather it heading towards S. America or towards Hawaii?

neto
neto
1 year ago

Yo! dud they change the date again to sunday now?

Rocket Monkey
Rocket Monkey
Admin
Reply to  neto
1 year ago

Yes

Ken & Judy O
Ken & Judy O' Neill
1 year ago

Happy days are here again for SpaceX.
Keep it Top Secret folks .
Great launch.