SpaceX NROL-76 Falcon 9 Full Thrust
Rocket Launch Video Stream
Weather Forecast During Launch
According to weather officials, there's a 70% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch.
About the NROL-76 Mission
- Type: Government/Top Secret
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
- Launch Cost: $50,000,000
Classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.
This classified mission is operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the U.S. government agency responsible for designing, building, and operating reconnaissance satellites. NRO missions support national security by providing critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities from space.
Understand National Reconnaissance Office satellite missions
Launch Pad & Location
Launch Complex 39A
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
The Launch Complex 39A launch pad has hosted 222 rocket launches, including 221 orbital launch attempts. The Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA launch site has been the location for 281 total 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).
SpaceX Falcon 9 Full Thrust Rocket
The Full Thrust variants first stage includes all systems necessary for an operational re-use of stages while the second stage is operated as an expendable rocket stage.
Booster Landing & Recovery
Core B1032
The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket landed at LZ-1. Reusable booster B1032 last flew on 01/31/2018 and has completed 1 successful launch and landing missions. Survived water landing on a non-recovery launch, SpaceX couldn't tug it back to port, so they hired a company to destroy it.
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.
A sonic boom may occur during booster recovery as the first stage returns to the landing zone. This atmospheric phenomenon creates a loud sound as the rocket breaks the sound barrier during its descent.
About 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-76 launch scheduled?
The SpaceX Falcon 9 NROL-76 launch was scheduled for:
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Where can I watch the SpaceX Falcon 9 NROL-76 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-76 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-76 mission?
The NROL-76 mission launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The Full Thrust variants first stage includes all systems necessary for an operational re-use of stages while the second stage is operated as an expendable rocket stage. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
Did the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster for NROL-76 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-76 launch?
The SpaceX Falcon 9 NROL-76 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-76 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-76 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.