SpaceX has successfully launched its fifth mission for the US government’s National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The NROL-126 mission was carried out from California on a Falcon 9 rocket, with 20 Starlink satellites also reaching orbit. This marks the company’s “100th successful launch” from pad 4E in California.
The NRO said the mission demonstrates the efficiency of delivery on orbit for its proliferated architecture program, which aims to deploy a new network of satellites designed to track ground targets in near real time. The program includes several upcoming launches planned for 2024 and 2028.
SpaceX partnered with the US Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 30 to launch the mission. The Falcon 9 rocket also successfully landed on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean after liftoff, marking an important milestone for the company.
Source: https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/elon-musks-spacex-launches-fifth-mission-bolstering-us-reconnaissance-satellite-architecture