SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Thursday night. The mission was conducted on behalf of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), which is responsible for designing and operating the US’s reconnaissance satellites. This marks SpaceX’s third launch from Vandenberg this month and ninth from the base so far this year.
The NROL-57 mission, part of the NRO’s satellite development program, demonstrates SpaceX’s capabilities in launching classified payloads into orbit. The rocket’s first-stage booster successfully landed back at Vandenberg after launch, producing a sonic boom that was audible to those in the area.
Source: https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/spacex-successfully-launches-mission-for-federal-intelligence-agency