Launch Date: May 22, 2024
Launch Time: 1:00 a.m. PDT, 4:00 a.m. EDT, 0800 UTC, 10:00 CEST
Launch Window: Opens May 22, 1:00 a.m. PDT / Closes 3:28 a.m. PDT
Launch Status: Successful
Launch Provider: SpaceX
Payload Contractor: NROL (National Reconnaissance Office)
Launcher System: Falcon 9 Block 5 (B1071)
Flight: #16
Flown missions for the booster: 15 - NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, Transporter-9, and nine Starlink missions
Mission: NROL-146 (classified)
Launch Location: Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA
Landing: Droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" (OCISLY)
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, May 22 for a Falcon 9 launch of the NROL-146 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 1:00 a.m. PDT, 4:00 a.m. EDT, 0800 CEST and 10:00 CEST, with backup opportunities available until 3:28 a.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Thursday, May 23 starting at 1:14 a.m. PDT.
This is the 16th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, Transporter-9, and nine Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
The NROL-146 mission will deliver the first batch of satellites for a reconnaissance satellite constellation built by SpaceX and Northrop-Grumman for the National Reconnaissance Office. The constellation will provide imaging and other reconnaissance capabilities. SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, and the NRO are under a $1,6B contract.
This is a classified mission, and SpaceX will not show any data or footage of the 2nd stage after stage separation. The SpaceX webcast will come to a close short after the landing of the Falcon 9 first stage on the droneship.
When the launch comes close, you will find any track data on flightclub.io/