Falcon Heavy Launches Classified Spy Mission For U.S. Government

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket blasted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center late Thursday, carrying the classified NROL-97 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office.

Liftoff from Launch Complex 39A came at 11:54 p.m. EDT on October 1. The mission marked the first time the NRO has launched a payload aboard a Falcon Heavy after previously using Falcon 9 rockets for 22 missions.

The heavy-lift rocket, powered by 27 Merlin 1D engines, was making its 14th flight. Its two side boosters were scheduled to land at Landing Zones 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station after separation.

Little is publicly known about the classified payload or its destination. The NROL-97 mission was procured through the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 2 contract awarded in 2025.