SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 Rocket On National Security Mission for the NRO

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launched on a national security mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in the early hours of Tuesday, February 28, 2023, from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The NROL-91 mission launched at 2:27 a.m. PST and is classified, meaning details of the payload and mission objectives remain secret. However, it is believed to be carrying a reconnaissance satellite or other critical payload for the NRO, a U.S. government agency responsible for providing intelligence imagery and geospatial data to the Department of Defense and other U.S. agencies.

The launch was originally scheduled for February 27, 2023, but was delayed due to unfavorable weather.

The Falcon 9 successfully lifted off, and the first stage performed a controlled landing on the "Of Course I Still Love You" drone ship in the Pacific Ocean several minutes later.

This is the fourth launch of a Falcon 9 rocket in 2023 and the 153rd overall.

SpaceX has been working closely with the NRO on national security missions for several years and has a proven track record of success.

The NRO is one of the most important intelligence agencies in the United States, and its missions are vital to national security.

The successful launch of the NROL-91 mission is a testament to the capabilities of SpaceX and the NRO.