The US government has launched a classified payload into orbit using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The NROL-69 mission, which was completed on Monday, marked the first time this year that the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) partnered with the Space Force’s Space Systems Command.
The NRO is responsible for providing overhead intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services to more than half a million government users. This includes agencies such as the military, lawmakers, and decision-makers.
According to the NRO, 2025 is expected to be a busy year for space launches, with approximately a dozen launches scheduled. The latest launch was the 25th orbital rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station this year, surpassing last year’s record of 93 launches.
SpaceX is set to launch its first crewed spaceflight to orbit above Earth’s polar regions on March 31, targeting pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The Falcon 9 will have a three-hour launch window for the Fram2 mission.
Source: https://eu.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2025/03/24/spacex-launches-falcon-9-nrol-69-national-security-mission-monday-from-cape-canaveral-florida/82637046007