SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket achieved a significant milestone today, completing its 100th launch of 2024. The mission, named NROL-167, took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 1:13 p.m. EDT (1713 GMT; 10:13 a.m. local time). This classified mission was conducted for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), carrying next-gen spy satellites into orbit.
Falcon 9’s Return to Earth
Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/pnxVIFgJAd
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 24, 2024
In true SpaceX fashion, the Falcon 9’s first stage booster returned to Earth about eight minutes after liftoff, successfully landing on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You, stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This marks the 21st landing for this particular Falcon 9 booster, which has become a cornerstone of SpaceX’s reusability efforts.
NROL-167: Classified Mission for NRO
The NROL-167 mission is part of the NRO’s “proliferated architecture” project, which aims to build a constellation of smaller, more resilient satellites. This mission marks the fourth of its kind, following previous Falcon 9-launched NRO missions NROL-146, NROL-186, and NROL-113 earlier this year. The details of these spy satellites and their specific functions remain classified.
SpaceX’s Record-Breaking Year
With 105 rocket launches so far in 2024, including two Falcon Heavy missions and three Starship test flights, SpaceX continues to set new records. The latest Falcon Heavy mission sent NASA’s Europa Clipper probe toward Jupiter on October 14, and a day earlier, SpaceX executed a groundbreaking Starship test flight with the vehicle’s first-stage booster caught mid-air by “chopstick” arms attached to the launch tower.
Looking Ahead
SpaceX shows no signs of slowing down. With every new launch, the company continues to extend its record total for the year, surpassing the 98 launches it achieved in 2023. As the space industry evolves, SpaceX remains at the forefront, pushing boundaries and redefining what’s possible in space exploration.
SpaceX’s NROL-167 launch once again highlights the company’s growing dominance in both commercial and government space missions, while further solidifying its relationship with national defense operations.