On Monday, March 24 at 1:48 p.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched the NROL-69 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photos captured by Satnews.

This was the second flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched a Starlink mission.

The weather officials had projected a good day for a launch with a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. Officials had been monitoring weather conditions with concerns related to Thick Cloud Layers Rule. The forecast called for a temperature of 77°F, few clouds, 18% cloud cover and a wind speed of 9mph to ready, set, go NROL-69.

The NRO has launched more than 150 satellites into Earth’s orbit in the last two years “creating the largest and most capable government constellation on orbit in our nation’s history,” the agency said.

SpaceX plans Monday’s NROL-69 launch and the National Reconnaissance Office provides insight into the mission to “never hibernate”

SpaceX is targeting Monday, March 24 for a Falcon 9 launch of the NROL-69 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 1:48 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Tuesday, March 25 at 1:34 p.m. ET.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about ten minutes prior to liftoff on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.

This is the second flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched a Starlink mission. Following stage separation, Falcon 9 will land on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

NRO Mission
Since its inception more than 60 years ago, the National Reconnaissance Office has been on the leading edge of innovation — collecting and delivering critical information that can only be obtained from the vantage point of space.

From warfighters to humanitarian responders, the NRO serves a wide range of customers. The Department of Defense and Intelligence Community depend on NRO capabilities for national security objectives. NRO systems are often the only tools able to access hostile territory or rugged terrain, and they can collect critical information without risking human lives or infringing on other nations’ territorial sovereignty. Civilian customers depend on the NRO’s space-based collections to assess damage from natural disasters, and help relief agencies determine how and where to deliver humanitarian aid.

The NRO is investing in the world’s most advanced tools, information technology, and communications
networks in order to meet customers’ needs today and anticipate and adapt to the emerging demands of tomorrow. NRO capabilities on the ground, on orbit, and everywhere in between ensure customers get the information they need, where they need it, faster than ever before

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) are
partnering to launch NROL-69 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket through the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program. This mission carries a national security payload designed, built, and operated
by NRO.

One of NRO’s most critical relationships is with the Space Force. The partnership between NRO and SSC through the NSSL program plays a key role in delivering critical space-based capabilities for national security. NSSL, a government launch acquisition partnership program between SSC’s Assured Access to Space and NRO, is overseen and operated by SSC headquartered at Los Angeles Air Force Base in California. The program uses commercial-like contracts and pricing to save taxpayer dollars while ensuring high-quality service. This innovative approach ensures that the U.S. government benefits from the best value while meeting its national security needs.

The Hummingbird illustrates the speed and agility with which we provide an advantage to the nation and its allies. NUMQUAN HIBERNARE is Latin for “never hibernate.” Our bird is ever vigilant.

NROL-69 is the first NRO mission launched with SpaceX from the NSSL Phase 2 contract awarded
in August 2020. Previously, NRO and SSC launched two NSSL Phase 1A missions with SpaceX from
Vandenberg Space Force Base with NROL-87 and NROL-85 in 2022. NSSL continues to be NRO’s principal mechanism to procure launch services for major system acquisitions to maintain NRO’s assured and affordable access to space.