Launch target updated
Previous target
Updated target
Recorded by Spacian . Mission source ↗
SpaceXLaunch Successful
NROL-97
Falcon Heavy
Classified payload for the US National Reconnaissance Office.
Mission status
Launch Successful
Status reported by the mission data provider.
LAUNCH SITEKennedy Space Center, FL, USA
Mission
Classified payload for the US National Reconnaissance Office.
- Launch vehicle
- Falcon Heavy
- Mission type
- Government/Top Secret
- Destination orbit
- Unknown
- Launch pad
- Launch Complex 39A
- Provider
- SpaceX
- Recovery
- Return to Launch Site, Landing Zone 2 +1
NROL-97: what the public record establishes
What was launched?
The public launch record identifies NROL-97 as a Falcon Heavy mission for the US National Reconnaissance Office, with a classified payload. The mission name and launch vehicle do not establish a publicly confirmed spacecraft design, sensor capability or precise operational orbit. Those details should not be inferred from the launch designation.
Where can the outcome be checked?
Use the current recorded status above and the original SpaceX mission report for publicly released flight information. The launch location in this record is Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A. Public coverage may reveal vehicle milestones while leaving payload operations undisclosed; missing information is not evidence of a failed mission.
Context reviewed . Live target and status appear above. Published by Spacian · sources and corrections.
Sources: SpaceX NROL-97 mission report ↗ · Launch Library ↗
The vehicle
Published configuration and flight history.
Launch vehicle
Falcon Heavy
The Falcon Heavy is a variant of the Falcon 9 full thrust launch vehicle and consists of a standard Falcon 9 rocket core, with two additional boosters derived from the Falcon 9 first stage.
- Height
- 70 m
- Diameter
- 12.2 m
- Stages
- 3
- Recorded launches
- 14
- First flight
- 2018-02-06
Core
B1106
Flight 1New
- Recovery
- Atlantic Ocean
- Landing method
- Expended
Recorded timing
49 minute windowRecorded timing
WINDOW START
WINDOW END
Target ·
The target marker shows its position within the published window. Recorded timing from the mission source.
Weather concerns
Cumulus Cloud Rule, Thick Cloud Layers Rule
Flight timeline
Planned sequence, not live telemetry. Times are relative to the launch target.
- T−00:53:00
GO for Prop Load
- T−00:50:00
Stage 1 Propellant Load
- T−00:45:00
Stage 1 LOX Load
- T−00:35:00
Stage 2 Propellant Load
- T−00:18:30
Stage 2 LOX Load
- T−00:07:00
Engine Chill
Show the full sequence (25 events)
- T−00:00:59
Startup
- T−00:00:45
GO for Launch
- T−00:00:20
Tank Press
- T−00:00:06
Ignition
- T+00:00:00
Liftoff
- T+00:01:09
Max-Q
- T+00:02:24
SBECO
- T+00:02:27
Boosters Separation
- T+00:02:31
Boosters Flip
- T+00:02:42
Boosters Boostback Burn Startup
- T+00:03:47
Boosters Boostback Burn Shutdown
- T+00:03:51
MECO
- T+00:03:54
Stage 2 Separation
- T+00:04:00
SES-1
- T+00:04:17
Fairing Separation
- T+00:06:29
Boosters Entry Burn Startup
- T+00:06:37
Boosters Entry Burn Shutdown
- T+00:07:30
Boosters Landing Burn
- T+00:07:47
Boosters Landing
Launch site & orbit
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
The mission in perspective
Launch site
DestinationUnknown
Explore the launch pad on Earth using its published coordinates.
Explore Earth’s orbitsExplore Earth & Moon · this mission view is an illustration
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Coverage & sources
Source record updated
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