SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 for NRO Mission NROL-57, Marking 450th Falcon 9 Flight

SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the NROL-57 mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, at 2:49 a.m. EDT on Friday. This launch marks the 450th flight for Falcon 9 rockets. The NROL-57 mission, which occurred nine days after the same rocket launched NASA's SPHEREx space telescope and PUNCH solar probes, utilized the NRO's "proliferated architecture," deploying multiple smaller satellites designed for enhanced capability and resilience. The NRO has launched over 150 satellites in the past two years, establishing a significant government constellation. Friday's mission is believed to be part of the Starshield constellation, a variation of Starlink developed by SpaceX and Northrup Grumman for government use. The NRO anticipates a dynamic year in 2025, with approximately a dozen scheduled launches. The number of satellites deployed on the NROL-57 mission remains undisclosed.