NROL-97 Streaks into Secrecy

NROL-97 Streaks Into the Night - Image Credit: Graham Smith

Kennedy Space Center, FL. – Just before midnight of October 1, 2026, SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket taking the top secret NROL-97 mission to space.  This was the third launch in a single day for SpaceX.  Earlier they launched the Crew-13 mission from Cape Canaveral S.F.S. and the Transporter 18 mission from Vandenberg S.F.S in California.

In a statement from the National Reconnaissance Office:

"While the NRO and SSC have partnered on countless critical missions, NROL-97 stands as a historic milestone in our shared history," said Col. Kathryn Cantu, director, NRO Office of Space Launch, and NROL-97 mission director. "Pioneering NRO’s first launch with SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 2 framework proves that our partnership with SSC is successfully modernizing national security space operations. Additionally, reusing the side boosters from NASA’s successful Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launch enabled us to eliminate schedule delays and share mission assurance practices for a rapid turn-around of the Falcon Heavy capability. Leveraging these partnerships allows us to accelerate the deployment of emerging, next-generation technologies crucial to securing our nation’s intelligence advantage.”

Shortly after launch of the Falcon Heavy, the two side booster made successful landings at LZ-1 and LZ-2.  The Crew 13 first stage booster had earlier landed at LZ-40.

What is also of note is that SpaceX also launched its Starship rocket from Texas on September 28, 2026 thus making the use of all of SpaceX’s launch facilities in just 4 days. 

Story by:  Michael Howard – We Report Space

Image Credit:  Graham Smith – We Report Space