Live coverage: SpaceX Set to Launch Classified NROL-69 Mission from Florida Space Coast

SpaceX is targeting Monday, March 24 at 1:48 p.m. ET for the launch of the NROL-69 mission, a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

4 minute read•Updated 12:18 PM EDT, Mon March 24, 2025

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL — The National Reconnaissance Office, which manages the U.S. government's fleet of reconnaissance and surveillance satellites, is preparing to launch its fifth mission of 2025 as part of a broader effort to modernize and maintain the nation's space-based intelligence capabilities.

The classified mission, designated NROL-69, is scheduled to lift off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 1:48 p.m. EDT (1748 UTC) on Monday, March 24. A backup opportunity is available on Tuesday, March 25 at 1:34 p.m. EDT.

The Launch Pad will provide live countdown-to-launch coverage starting at T-60 minutes, including expert commentary and updates on weather, mission milestones, and recovery operations. Watch: https://youtube.com/live/SaBg5X-cUjk?feature=share

Weather Conditions:

The 45th Weather Squadron, based at nearby Patrick Space Force Base, is forecasting a 90% chance of favorable conditions for launch on Monday. The primary concern will be the presence of mid- to high-level cloud decks, associated with a passing upper-level jet stream and an approaching weather system.

“Most of this deck still looks too high and cold to be a Thick Cloud Layers concern, but there remains a slight possibility for lower clouds to come in sooner and threaten the launch window” - 45th Weather Squadron

The Rocket and Booster:

The mission will utilize a Falcon 9 first stage booster numbered B1092, flying for just the second time. Its previous mission was Starlink Group 12-13, which launched on February 27, 2025.

Approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the booster will attempt a landing at Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral.

If successful, this will mark:

the 50th landing at LZ-1, and
the 422nd Falcon booster landing overall across all recovery zones.

Phase 2 National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Mission

The NROL-69 mission is part of Phase 2 of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program, a multi-billion-dollar effort by the U.S. Space Force to secure reliable launch services for national security payloads. In 2020, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance (ULA) were awarded contracts totaling $3.3 billion and $3.4 billion, respectively, to support up to 50 missions between FY21 and FY24. That number eventually grew to 50, with SpaceX assigned 22 missions and ULA 28.

Of the nine NRO missions included in that total, SpaceX was awarded two: NROL-69 and USSF-36. The combined value for both missions was roughly $159.7 million, under a firm-fixed-price contract issued in 2021.

Both missions experienced schedule shifts, with NROL-69 originally planned for launch in late FY23. The reasons for the delay have not been publicly disclosed.

Mission Details Remain Classified

As is standard for NRO missions, specific information about the spacecraft, orbit, and objectives remains classified.

In a pre-launch summary, the NRO simply stated:

“This mission carries a national security payload designed, built, and operated by NRO.”

However, notices to mariners and aviators suggest the rocket will head on a northeast trajectory, likely targeting an orbit with an inclination around 53 degrees.

One additional clue about the mission’s complexity lies in the appearance of the Falcon 9 upper stage, which features a distinctive grey stripe wrapped around the RP-1 fuel tank. The gray band, while rarely discussed publicly, indicates the use of a “medium-coast” second stage configuration.

“A medium-coast kit… includes an added battery loaf or power pack, a painted gray stripe on the outside of the fuel tank, and other hardware to make sure the fuel and stage systems operate as long as needed once we get to space.” - Ronnie Foreman, SpaceX Commercial Sales Manager

Such configurations were also seen on the GOES-U launch in June 2024, which required three upper stage burns and a 4.5-hour mission duration, and most recently on the Transporter-13 rideshare mission in March 2025.

While the Falcon 9’s gray-stripe upper stage does not confirm the exact mission profile, it strongly suggests multiple burns, a long-duration coast, and precision orbital insertion—consistent with typical NRO mission requirements.