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NROL-85

Falcon 9 Block 5

SpaceX

Launch Status
Success

Weather Forecast During Launch


According to weather officials, there’s a 100% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch.

Trajectory


View comprehensive details including the rocket’s trajectory, velocity, altitude, thrust, and more at FlightClub.io.

Mission


NROL-85

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

Classified payload for the US National Reconnaissance Office.

Location


Space Launch Complex 4E

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Space Launch Complex 4E has witnessed the launch of 138 rockets, including 138 orbital launch attempts, while Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA, has been the site for 749 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 B1071

Booster B1071 last launched 02/10/2024 and has seen 14 successful launches and landings. Falcon 9 Block 5 booster first used for the NROL-87 mission.

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.

B1071

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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17 Comments
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Judy & Ken
Judy & Ken
2 years ago

To space for humanity.!

Neil Armstrong
Neil Armstrong
2 years ago

Is this local time?

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?

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?

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?

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

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