A National Reconnaissance Office payload aboard a Falcon 9 rocket stands in line to launch a new year of missions at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The liftoff of the two-stage rocket built by SpaceX is set to occur at 7:53 p.m. Thursday from Space Launch Complex-4 on South Base.

If needed, a backup opportunity is available starting at 7:34 p.m. Friday, SpaceX said.

The rocket will deliver the NROL-153 mission for the agency providing space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to various users including the U.S. military and allies.

“This mission is the seventh launch of NRO’s proliferated architecture and first launch of 2025,” NRO officials said on social media.

The agency typically remains mum about the number of spacecraft on board the rocket and the specific mission they will perform. 

But other missions have delivered roughly 20 spacecraft. 

NRO has adopted what leaders call a proliferated architecture involving launching multiple small satellites into orbit. In the past the agency built and operated large, expensive spacecraft with launches occurring occasionally.

“Having hundreds of small satellites on orbit is invaluable to the NRO’s mission. They will provide greater revisit rates, increased coverage, more timely delivery of information — and ultimately will help us deliver more of what our customers need even faster,” NRO Director Chris Scolese said in a written statement.

NRO conducted six missions carried on Falcon rockets between May and December 2024, with the most recent occurring Dec. 17.

SpaceX said the first-stage booster, making its 22nd flight, will aim to land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship in the Pacific Ocean about eight minutes after liftoff. 

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 10 minutes prior to liftoff, which can be watched on www.spacex.com or X @SpaceX.