SpaceX is targeting Thursday, March 20 for a Falcon 9 launch of the NROL-57 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is now targeted for 11:49 p.m. PT. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Friday, March 21 starting at 11:31 p.m. PT.
This is the eighth batch of satellites for a secret reconnaissance satellite constellation built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for the National Reconnaissance Office to provide imaging and other reconnaissance capabilities.
The forecast calls for a temperature of 53°F, broken clouds, 56% cloud cover and a wind speed of 19mph.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about 10 minutes prior to liftoff that you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.
This is the fourth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-126, Transporter-12, and SPHEREx. Following stage separation, Falcon 9 will land on Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
There is the possibility that residents of and visitors to Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions.