Latest news with #NROL-192
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SpaceX launches 9th batch of 'proliferated architecture' spy satellites for US government (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. SpaceX lofted another batch of next-gen reconnaissance satellites for the U.S. government this morning (April 12). A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on California's central coast today at 8:25 a.m. EDT (1225 GMT; 5:25 a.m. local California time). The launch kicked off the NROL-192 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), which builds and operates the United States' fleet of spy satellites. NROL-192 continues a facelift of sorts for that fleet: It was the ninth launch in support of the NRO's "proliferated architecture," a new network comprised of large numbers of small, cost-efficient satellites (rather than a relative handful of highly capable but expensive craft, which has been the historical norm for the NRO). "Having hundreds of small satellites on orbit is invaluable to the NRO's mission," NRO Director Chris Scolese said in the proliferated architecture press kit, which you can find here. "They will provide greater revisit rates, increased coverage, more timely delivery of information — and ultimately help us deliver more of what our customers need even faster," he added. Related: SpaceX launches next-gen US spy satellites on 100th Falcon 9 flight of the year (video, photos) RELATED STORIES: — SpaceX: Facts about Elon Musk's private spaceflight company — SpaceX launches classified spy satellite for US military, lands rocket — SpaceX launches US spy satellite, lands rocket in flawless Easter flight We don't know much about the newly lofted satellites because the NRO doesn't disclose much about its orbiting assets. However, the proliferated architecture craft are thought to be modified versions of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites that have been outfitted with high-tech spy gear. All nine of the proliferated architecture missions have flown on Falcon 9 rockets out of Vandenberg. They have also come in rapid succession; the first one launched in May 2024.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
SpaceX launches spy satellites in California for National Reconnaissance Office
April 12 (UPI) -- SpaceX on Saturday launched Starshield satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office from California, hours after the private agency scrubbed a launch of Starlink satellites from Florida. The Falcon 9 lifted off at 5:25 a.m. PDT from Vandenberg Space Force Base's pad 4E. The number of spy satellites wasn't revealed. The launch is NRO's ninth mission supporting its proliferated architecture satellite constellation using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX has launched more than 150 satellites for the NRO with plans to continue launching them through 2029, including a dozen this year. It is "the largest and most capable government constellation on orbit in our nation's history,"according to an NRO news release. The secretive mission was called NROL-192. It was the 24th flight for the first-stage booster, which has included 14 Starlink missions and three for NRO. The first stage landed minutes later on Of Course I Still Love You drone ship in the Pacific Ocean near Long Beach. Further launch dates haven't been announced. Aside from SpaceX, the NRO satellites also can be launched aboard United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket and Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket. ULA has been certified for national security missions and Blue Origin is awaiting government certification. Eleven months ago, NRO began deploying "the world's most capable, resilient, and technologically advanced satellite constellation," according to NRO Director Chris Scolese. "This enhanced constellation is already shortening revisit times and increasing observational persistence; delivering enhanced coordination; and empowering faster data processing, fusion, and transmission speeds," Scolese said this week. "All with greater resilience and security. "Most profoundly, we're making it harder for our adversaries to hide, while reducing time to insights for our customers from minutes to seconds -- strengthening national security with improved prospects for lethality, when it's necessary," he said. The Starshield satellites are a government-specific variation of Space X's Starlink satellites. NRO was formed in 1962 to serve U.S. intelligence, military, civil, and allied partners. The agency partners with the U.S. Space Force Launch Delta 30 for the launches. SpaceX last launched 27 Starlink satellites from Vandenburg's pad 4E on Monday. Starlink SpaceX is scheduled to launch 21 more Starlink satellites late Saturday after two flights were scrubbed. Liftoff is set for 8:53 p.m. EDT from Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A. The launch window is until 12:42 a.m. Sunday. SpaceX didn't give a reason for the postponed flights on Thursday night and early Saturday. There have been weather concerns in the area. Another SpaceX launch is scheduled for no earlier than 9:59 p.m. Sunday from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.
