SpaceX successfully launched a new Earth-observation satellite for Luxembourg along with seven smaller spacecraft from California yesterday (Aug. 26). The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the National Advanced Optical System (NAOS) spacecraft lifted off at 2:53 p.m. EDT from Vandenberg Space Force Base and deployed NAOS about 12 minutes into flight, followed by Pelican-3 and Pelican-4 shortly after.
Additionally, the Falcon 9 carried small satellites for Dhruva Space’s LEAP-1, Planet’s Pelican-3 and Pelican-4, Exolaunch’s Acadia-6, Pixxel’s FFLY-1, FFLY-2, and FFLY-3. The latter are commercial observation platforms featuring synthetic aperture radar technology and high-frequency hyperspectral imaging.
This launch marks SpaceX’s 104th Falcon 9 mission of 2025 and the 522nd overall since 2010. The first stage landed back at Vandenberg Space Force Base about eight minutes after launch, marking its 27th recovery.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/watch-spacex-launch-earth-observation-satellite-for-luxembourg-and-7-other-satellites-today