SpaceX NROL-97 Falcon Heavy
Rocket Launch Video Streams
Weather Forecast During Launch
According to weather officials, there's a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. Officials are monitoring weather conditions with concerns related to Cumulus Cloud Rule, Thick Cloud Layers Rule. The forecast calls for a temperature of 78°F, overcast clouds, 99% cloud cover and a wind speed of 6mph.
Rocket Launch Trajectory & Flight Path
Track the complete rocket launch trajectory with real-time flight data from FlightClub.io (opens in a new tab). View detailed telemetry including rocket velocity, altitude progression, thrust levels, acceleration, orbital insertion parameters, and 3D flight path visualization throughout all mission phases from liftoff to orbit.
Learn about rocket launch trajectory physics (opens in a new tab)
About the NROL-97 Mission
| Type | Government/Top Secret |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Unknown |
| Launch Cost | $90,000,000 |
Classified payload for the US 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 (opens in a new tab)
Launch Pad & Location
Launch Complex 39A
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
| Launches | 224 |
|---|---|
| Orbital Launch Attempts | 223 |
| Total Launches | 283 |
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 Launch Timeline
Track every phase of the rocket launch with our detailed mission timeline. From T-minus countdown events and pre-launch preparations through liftoff, stage separation, and orbital insertion, follow each critical milestone in real-time. Our comprehensive launch sequence timeline includes payload integration, propellant loading, engine ignition, and post-launch telemetry tracking.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| T- 00 : 53 : 00 | GO for Prop Load Launch director verifies go for propellant load |
| T- 00 : 50 : 00 | Stage 1 Propellant Load Start of propellant loading in the first stage |
| T- 00 : 45 : 00 | Stage 1 LOX Load Start of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage |
| T- 00 : 35 : 00 | Stage 2 Propellant Load Start of propellant loading in the second stage |
| T- 00 : 18 : 30 | Stage 2 LOX Load Start of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage |
| T- 00 : 07 : 00 | Engine Chill Start of engine chilling |
| T- 00 : 00 : 59 | Startup The onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks |
| T- 00 : 00 : 45 | GO for Launch Launch director verifies go for launch |
| T- 00 : 00 : 20 | Tank Press Fuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels |
| T- 00 : 00 : 06 | Ignition Start of the engine ignition sequence |
| T+ 00 : 00 : 00 | Liftoff First upwards movement of the rocket |
| T+ 00 : 01 : 09 | Max-Q Maximum dynamic pressure |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 24 | SBECO Cut-off of the side boosters |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 27 | Boosters Separation Separation of the side boosters |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 31 | Boosters Flip Flip maneuver of the side boosters |
| T+ 00 : 02 : 42 | Boosters Boostback Burn Startup Start of the boosters boostback burn |
| T+ 00 : 03 : 47 | Boosters Boostback Burn Shutdown End of the boosters boostback burn |
| T+ 00 : 03 : 51 | MECO Cut-off of the main engine |
| T+ 00 : 03 : 54 | Stage 2 Separation Separation of the second stage from the first |
| T+ 00 : 04 : 00 | SES-1 First start of the second engine |
| T+ 00 : 04 : 17 | Fairing Separation Separation of the payload fairing |
| T+ 00 : 06 : 29 | Boosters Entry Burn Startup Start of the boosters atmospheric entry burn |
| T+ 00 : 06 : 37 | Boosters Entry Burn Shutdown End of the boosters atmospheric entry burn |
| T+ 00 : 07 : 30 | Boosters Landing Burn Start of the boosters landing burn |
| T+ 00 : 07 : 47 | Boosters Landing Landing of the boosters |
SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket
The Falcon Heavy is a variant of the Falcon 9 full thrust launch vehicle and consists of a standard Falcon 9 rocket core, with two additional boosters derived from the Falcon 9 first stage.
| Length | 70.0 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 12.2 m |
| Stages | 3 |
| Launch Mass | 1,400.0 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 22,819.0 kN |
| Apogee | 200.0 km |
| LEO Capacity | 63,800 kg |
| GTO Capacity | 26,700 kg |
| Launch Cost | $90,000,000 |
| Maiden Flight | 2/6/2018 |
Booster Landing & Recovery
Strap-On Booster B1072
| Serial Number | B1072 |
|---|---|
| Last Flight | 10/02/2026 |
| Successful Landings | 4 |
Falcon Heavy side booster first flown during the GOES-U mission. The Falcon Heavy side booster B1072 has landed back at the launch site at Landing Zone 2 after its 4th flight.
Landing Zone 2 - LZ-2
LZ-2 Pad located at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at the previous LC-13. Directly next to LZ-1
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.
Understand rocket booster landing sonic booms (opens in a new tab)
Strap-On Booster B1104
| Serial Number | B1104 |
|---|---|
| Last Flight | 10/02/2026 |
| Successful Landings | 2 |
Falcon 9 booster. The Falcon Heavy side booster B1104 has landed back at the launch site at Landing Zone 1 after its 2nd flight.
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.
Understand rocket booster landing sonic booms (opens in a new tab)
Core B1106
| Serial Number | B1106 |
|---|---|
| Last Flight | 10/02/2026 |
Falcon Heavy core booster expended during the launch of the NROL-97 mission. The Falcon Heavy center core B1106 will be expended.
Atlantic Ocean - ATL
Atlantic Ocean
Expended - EXP
Vehicle did not perform any landing operations after launch
Track the booster recovery and droneship return to port (opens in a new tab)
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.
| Total Launches | 736 |
|---|---|
| Successful | 721 |
| Failed | 15 |
| Pending | 132 |
| Consecutive Success | 221 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the SpaceX Falcon Heavy NROL-97 launch scheduled?
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy NROL-97 launch was scheduled for:
.
Where can I watch the SpaceX Falcon Heavy NROL-97 launch video?
You can watch the SpaceX Falcon Heavy 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 Heavy NROL-97 mission launch from?
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy 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-97 mission?
The NROL-97 mission launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. The Falcon Heavy is a variant of the Falcon 9 full thrust launch vehicle and consists of a standard Falcon 9 rocket core, with two additional boosters derived from the Falcon 9 first stage. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
Did the SpaceX Falcon Heavy booster for NROL-97 attempt a landing?
Yes, the Falcon Heavy 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 Heavy NROL-97 launch?
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy NROL-97 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 Heavy NROL-97 launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the NROL-97 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.
Last Updated
Last Updated:
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Launch success.
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Payload deployed.
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Liftoff.
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Unofficial Re-stream by SPACE AFFAIRS has started
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Tweaked T-0.
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Updated launch weather, 80% GO.
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Updated launch weather, 60% GO.
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GO for launch.
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NET early fall 2026 (launch identity per https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=55784.msg2715269#msg2715269; booster assignments per https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5OJk1FuEKg).
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Updated launch vehicle configuration.
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Adding launch, year TBD