The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has launched its fifth mission of 2025, dubbed NROL-69, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The launch took place at 1:48 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
According to forecasts by the 45th Weather Squadron, there was a 90% chance of favorable weather for liftoff on Monday. The primary concern was thick clouds associated with an upper-level jet and an approaching system.
The Falcon 9 rocket used booster B1092, which made its second flight after launching the Starlink 12-13 mission in February 2025. After 8.5 minutes, the booster successfully landed at Landing Zone 1 for the 50th touchdown.
NROL-69 was one of two missions assigned to SpaceX in March 2021 as part of Phase 2 of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program, worth $159.7 million each. The contract values were adjusted due to delays and a total of 50 missions awarded to both SpaceX and United Launch Alliance.
The mission carries a national security payload designed by NRO, with an estimated initial orbit inclination of around 53 degrees. A grey band wrapped around the second stage of the Falcon 9 rocket is believed to be used to keep the RP-1 kerosene at a consistent temperature during long coast phases.
Source: https://spaceflightnow.com/2025/03/24/live-coverage-spacex-to-launch-national-security-satellite-for-nro-on-falcon-9-rocket-from-cape-canaveral