A classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office is scheduled to head to orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 is targeted for the predawn hours, following an adjusted T-0 liftoff time set by SpaceX.
Mission Profile and Booster History for NROL-95
SpaceX will launch the mission using Falcon 9 booster B1096, according to flight records. This flight marks the seventh flight for the booster, which previously supported NASA’s IMAP and CRS-34 missions, a Kuiper Falcon 1 flight, NROL-77, GPS III-9, and Starlink 6-87.
Nearly 8.5 minutes after liftoff, booster B1096 will target a landing at Landing Zone 2 at the Cape. If successful, this milestone will mark the 18th landing at the site and the 642nd total booster landing for SpaceX, according to operational data.
Did you know?
The NROL-95 task order represents the third mission procured for the NRO and launched on a Falcon 9 rocket under the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 contract. The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command manages the contract, and the specific task order was awarded to SpaceX in August 2024.
Weather Forecast and Meteorological Challenges
The 45th Weather Squadron issued a forecast indicating a 70 percent chance of favorable weather for the launch opportunity, according to meteorologists. Forecasters noted they are actively monitoring potential interference from localized cloud cover and lingering thunderstorms.
“Significant weather model ambiguity remains regarding the longevity, extent and location of remnant storms and associated cloud cover during the overnight periods, thus the threat of weather violations for the primary and secondary launch opportunities will remain higher than typical values for summer overnight launches, albeit with still a decent potential for acceptable weather,” launch weather officers wrote in the official forecast.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the NROL-95 launch scheduled?
Liftoff is scheduled for 3:10 a.m. EDT (0710 UTC), following an adjusted T-0 liftoff time set by SpaceX.
Where is the launch taking place?
The Falcon 9 rocket will lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
What is the weather probability for the flight?
The 45th Weather Squadron reported a 70 percent chance of favorable weather conditions, though meteorologists remain watchful of potential cloud and storm interference.
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