SpaceX launches classified NROL-69 mission from Cape Canaveral
SpaceX sent up a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office from the Space Coast on Monday afternoon.
A Falcon 9 rocket on the NROL-69 mission lifted off at 1:48 p.m. Eastern time from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40.
The first-stage booster flew for the second time and made a recovery landing at Canaveral's Landing Zone 1, meaning parts of Central Florida may have heard one or more sonic booms.
This was the 24th launch from the Space Coast in 2025, with all but one coming from SpaceX.
The NRO partnered with the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command for this mission, flying under the National Security Space Launch program. NROL-69 was awarded to SpaceX as part of two missions worth $160 million in 2021. It was originally targeted to fly no later than fall of 2023.
The mission logo for the NROL-69 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office features an origami hummingbird along with the Latin phrase "Numquan Hibernare," meaning "never hibernate." The NRO has stated, "The Hummingbird illustrates the speed and agility with which we provide an advantage to the nation and its allies. Our bird is ever vigilant."
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Payload | Classified for the National Reconnaissance Office |
| Launch time | 1:48 PM ET |
| Launch site | Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral |
| Mission cost | $160 million |
| Previous missions | Two prior missions with SpaceX |
The NRO has flown two missions with SpaceX previously, although this is the first under the NSSL Phase 2 contract orders that were doled out from 2020-2024. SpaceX has just one more to fly for the NRO as part of that contract's awards while United Launch Alliance has six among the Phase 2 contract awards lined up.
ULA's national security missions, though, await the Space Force's certification of its Vulcan rocket before it can begin knocking out what has grown to be a backlog of 25 missions awarded over Phase 2's five years of task orders.
The Space Force has moved on to ordering new missions under an NSSL Phase 3 contract, although total values and details have yet to be announced.
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