On a very foggy Thursday night beside the ocean on March 20 at 11:49 p.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched the NROL-57 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Photos captured by Satnews.
The SpaceX mission description indicated that the first stage of this rocket also launched the SPHEREx space telescope and PUNCH solar probes for NASA on March 11 making NROL-57 the second launch of the launch vehicle in a period of just over nine days. This accomplishment broke the previous Falcon 9 record of 14 days. Although this is a secret mission typically such satellites are usually used for intelligence gathering and surveillance.
A safe return to land on a foggy California beach night this was the fourth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-126, Transporter-12, and SPHEREx.
SpaceX’s Thursday NROL-57 secret mission makes adjustment to launch time
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.
SpaceX’s Thursday NROL-57 top secret launch
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 will launch 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 launch is scheduled for Thursday, March 25 at 10:48 PM – 1:17 AM PDT from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, California.
The forecast calls for a temperature of 53°F, broken clouds, 66% cloud cover and a wind speed of 18mph.