SpaceXLaunch SuccessfulGovernment/Top Secret

NROL‑97

Name: Falcon Heavy | NROL-97
Start: 2026-10-02T03:54:00Z
Location: Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

Falcon Heavy

Launched Fri, Oct 2 · 3:54 AM UTC2026-10-02 03:54 UTCLaunch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

Reached orbit
Booster landed

Follow SpaceX in the app Watch the replay

Success

Reached Orbit

Landed

B1104 Landed

The first stage landed at Landing Zone 1, on its 2nd flight.

Worldwide

236th

orbital launch attempt in 2026

SpaceX

116th

launch this year

Launch Complex 39A

3rd

launch from this pad this year

Pad turnaround

32 d 16 h

since the pad's previous launch

Replay

Replay: SpaceX NROL-97

The Flight Plan

Planned times, from liftoff at 3:54 AM UTC. The result is at the top of the page.

Countdown10

T−53:003:01 AMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−50:003:04 AMStart of propellant loading in the first stage
T−45:003:09 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:003:19 AMStart of propellant loading in the second stage
T−18:303:35 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:003:47 AMStart of engine chilling
T−0:593:53 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:453:53 AMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:203:53 AMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−0:063:53 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Show the countdown (10 steps)

T−53:003:01 AMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−50:003:04 AMStart of propellant loading in the first stage
T−45:003:09 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:003:19 AMStart of propellant loading in the second stage
T−18:303:35 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:003:47 AMStart of engine chilling
T−0:593:53 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:453:53 AMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:203:53 AMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−0:063:53 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Ascent8

T+0:003:54 AMFirst upwards movement of the rocket
T+1:093:55 AMMaximum dynamic pressure
T+2:243:56 AMCut-off of the side boosters
T+2:273:56 AMSeparation of the side boosters
T+3:513:57 AMCut-off of the main engine
T+3:543:57 AMSeparation of the second stage from the first
T+4:003:58 AMFirst start of the second engine
T+4:173:58 AMSeparation of the payload fairing

Booster Return7

T+2:313:56 AMFlip maneuver of the side boosters
T+2:423:56 AMStart of the boosters boostback burn
T+3:473:57 AMEnd of the boosters boostback burn
T+6:294:00 AMStart of the boosters atmospheric entry burn
T+6:374:00 AMEnd of the boosters atmospheric entry burn
T+7:304:01 AMStart of the boosters landing burn
T+7:474:01 AMLanding of the boosters

Mission

Classified payload for the US National Reconnaissance Office.

Launch Provider

SpaceX

Commercial · United States of America · Founded 2002 · CEO Elon Musk

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., known as SpaceX, is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company headquartered in Hawthorne, California. It was founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX operates from many pads, on the East Coast of the US they operate from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and historic LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. They also operate from SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, usually for polar launches. Another launch site is being developed at Boca Chica, Texas.

Launches

742

Successful

727

98%

Landings

687

of 715

Upcoming

136

scheduled

FliesFalcon Starship Dragon

All SpaceX launches Website Wikipedia

Updates

Oct 2 · 7:13 AM
Launch success.
Cosmic_Penguin
Oct 2 · 7:10 AM
Payload deployed.
Cosmic_Penguin
Oct 2 · 3:54 AM
Liftoff.
Cosmic_Penguin
Oct 2 · 3:49 AM
Unofficial Re-stream by SPACE AFFAIRS has started
Launch Library 2
Oct 2 · 2:20 AM
Tweaked T-0.
Cosmic_Penguin

Show earlier updates

Oct 2 · 2:04 AM
Updated launch weather, 80% GO.
Cosmic_Penguin
Sep 30 · 3:23 PM
Updated launch weather, 60% GO.
Cosmic_Penguin
Sep 24 · 2:39 PM
GO for launch.
Cosmic_Penguin
Sep 8 · 4:00 PM
NET early fall 2026 (launch identity per https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=55784.msg2715269#msg2715269; booster assignments per https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5OJk1FuEKg).
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 10 · 6:12 AM
Updated launch vehicle configuration.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 9 · 7:03 PM
Adding launch, year TBD
Nosu

Falcon Heavy

Vehicle history

Height

70m

Diameter

12.2m

To low Earth orbit

63,800kg

Liftoff thrust

22,819kN

Space Launch Now for iOS and Android

Notifications before every launch you follow, live countdowns on your home screen and watch, and webcasts as they start.

See what's in the app

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SpaceXLaunch SuccessfulGovernment/Top Secret

NROL‑97

Falcon Heavy

Launched Fri, Oct 2 · 3:54 AM UTC2026-10-02 03:54 UTCLaunch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

Reached orbit
Booster landed

Follow SpaceX in the app Watch the replay

Success

Reached Orbit

Landed

B1104 Landed

The first stage landed at Landing Zone 1, on its 2nd flight.

Worldwide

236th

orbital launch attempt in 2026

SpaceX

116th

launch this year

Launch Complex 39A

3rd

launch from this pad this year

Pad turnaround

32 d 16 h

since the pad's previous launch

Replay

Replay: SpaceX NROL-97

The Flight Plan

Planned times, from liftoff at 3:54 AM UTC. The result is at the top of the page.

Countdown10

T−53:003:01 AMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−50:003:04 AMStart of propellant loading in the first stage
T−45:003:09 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:003:19 AMStart of propellant loading in the second stage
T−18:303:35 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:003:47 AMStart of engine chilling
T−0:593:53 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:453:53 AMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:203:53 AMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−0:063:53 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Show the countdown (10 steps)

T−53:003:01 AMLaunch director verifies go for propellant load
T−50:003:04 AMStart of propellant loading in the first stage
T−45:003:09 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
T−35:003:19 AMStart of propellant loading in the second stage
T−18:303:35 AMStart of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
T−7:003:47 AMStart of engine chilling
T−0:593:53 AMThe onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
T−0:453:53 AMLaunch director verifies go for launch
T−0:203:53 AMFuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
T−0:063:53 AMStart of the engine ignition sequence

Ascent8

T+0:003:54 AMFirst upwards movement of the rocket
T+1:093:55 AMMaximum dynamic pressure
T+2:243:56 AMCut-off of the side boosters
T+2:273:56 AMSeparation of the side boosters
T+3:513:57 AMCut-off of the main engine
T+3:543:57 AMSeparation of the second stage from the first
T+4:003:58 AMFirst start of the second engine
T+4:173:58 AMSeparation of the payload fairing

Booster Return7

T+2:313:56 AMFlip maneuver of the side boosters
T+2:423:56 AMStart of the boosters boostback burn
T+3:473:57 AMEnd of the boosters boostback burn
T+6:294:00 AMStart of the boosters atmospheric entry burn
T+6:374:00 AMEnd of the boosters atmospheric entry burn
T+7:304:01 AMStart of the boosters landing burn
T+7:474:01 AMLanding of the boosters

Mission

Classified payload for the US National Reconnaissance Office.

Launch Provider

SpaceX

Commercial · United States of America · Founded 2002 · CEO Elon Musk

Launches

742

Successful

727

98%

Landings

687

of 715

Upcoming

136

scheduled

FliesFalcon Starship Dragon

All SpaceX launches Website Wikipedia

Updates

Oct 2 · 7:13 AM
Launch success.
Cosmic_Penguin
Oct 2 · 7:10 AM
Payload deployed.
Cosmic_Penguin
Oct 2 · 3:54 AM
Liftoff.
Cosmic_Penguin
Oct 2 · 3:49 AM
Unofficial Re-stream by SPACE AFFAIRS has started
Launch Library 2
Oct 2 · 2:20 AM
Tweaked T-0.
Cosmic_Penguin

Show earlier updates

Oct 2 · 2:04 AM
Updated launch weather, 80% GO.
Cosmic_Penguin
Sep 30 · 3:23 PM
Updated launch weather, 60% GO.
Cosmic_Penguin
Sep 24 · 2:39 PM
GO for launch.
Cosmic_Penguin
Sep 8 · 4:00 PM
NET early fall 2026 (launch identity per https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=55784.msg2715269#msg2715269; booster assignments per https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5OJk1FuEKg).
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 10 · 6:12 AM
Updated launch vehicle configuration.
Cosmic_Penguin
Apr 9 · 7:03 PM
Adding launch, year TBD
Nosu

Falcon Heavy

Vehicle history

Height

70m

Diameter

12.2m

To low Earth orbit

63,800kg

Liftoff thrust

22,819kN

Next From Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center schedule

NET2026

USSF-75SpaceX · Falcon Heavy · Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USAGeostationary OrbitTo be determinedNET 2026 Dec—NET

Griffin Mission OneSpaceX · Falcon Heavy · Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USALunar OrbitTo be determinedNET December

Space Launch Now for iOS and Android

Notifications before every launch you follow, live countdowns on your home screen and watch, and webcasts as they start.

See what's in the app

Scan to open on your phone

NROL‑97

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown10

Ascent8

Booster Return7

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon Heavy

NROL‑97

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown10

Ascent8

Booster Return7

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon Heavy

Next From Kennedy Space Center

Next From Kennedy Space Center

NROL‑97

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown10

Ascent8

Booster Return7

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon Heavy

Never Miss a Launch.

NROL‑97

Replay

More Videos

The Flight Plan

Countdown10

Ascent8

Booster Return7

Mission

SpaceX

Updates

Falcon Heavy

Next From Kennedy Space Center

Never Miss a Launch.

Next From Kennedy Space Center