A SpaceX rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base late Thursday night before the first-stage booster returned to land.
A SpaceX rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base late Thursday night before the first-stage booster returned to land. Credit: SpaceX photo

The nation’s constellation of spy satellites grew with the Thursday night delivery by a Falcon 9 rocket that launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base while also setting a new reuse record.

The SpaceX rocket lifted off at 11:49 p.m., and the first-stage booster returned to Vandenberg less than eight minutes later generating the distinctive clapping sonic booms. 

Making its fourth flight and landing, the first-stage booster used for the mission also carried a pair of NASA payloads into space from Vandenberg nine days ago.

“Congrats to the @SpaceX Falcon team for setting a new stage 1 launch to launch record,” said Kiko Dontchev, vice president of launch for SpaceX. 

Thursday’s mission carried a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, which remained mum about how many craft were on board the rocket. Falcon typically carries about 20 small satellites reportedly dubbed Starshield and similar in size to its commercial Starlink craft.

A SpaceX rocket creates a dramatic image in the sky en route to delivering satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office.
A SpaceX rocket creates a dramatic image in the sky en route to delivering satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office. Credit: SpaceX photo

This was the eighth launch of the NRO’s proliferated architecture, the phrase for the agency’s switch from a few behemoth satellites launched every few years to dozens of small craft more frequently.

“The steady deployment of this program is quickly growing the U.S. government’s largest and most resilient intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance constellation,” NRO officials said in a written statement. 

“This latest proliferated NRO mission continues to increase our space-based intelligence capabilities to address strategic national security needs.”

The National Reconnaissance Office motto for its proliferated architecture is “strength in numbers.”
The National Reconnaissance Office motto for its proliferated architecture is “strength in numbers.” Credit: National Reconnaissance Office

Over the past two years, NRO has launched more than 150 satellites, many of those beginning their trek from Vandenberg.

NRO expects the momentum will continue in 2025, with approximately one dozen NRO launches scheduled. 

Approximately half of these launches will focus on advancing the NRO’s proliferated architecture with additional launches planned through 2029.

Thursday night’s launch was the 10th Falcon flight from Vandenberg since Jan. 1. 

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.