The US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has expanded its next-generation satellite constellation to over 100 spacecraft, marking a significant milestone in its ambitious space program. The latest launch, NROL-149, was successfully carried out by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
This marks the sixth deployment under the agency’s proliferated architecture program, which aims to enhance resilience and coverage while reducing vulnerability to anti-satellite weapons. The NRO is shifting away from large, expensive satellites towards a more distributed network of smaller spacecraft.
Over the past 18 months, the agency has placed over 100 payloads into orbit. The planned expansion will continue through 2028, further solidifying the US’s position in space-based intelligence gathering.
Source: https://spacenews.com/nro-hits-milestone-with-more-than-100-satellites-in-low-earth-orbit