What is the NROL-105 mission launching tonight?

NROL-105 is a national security mission by the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), launching satellites for its new spy constellation.

Where is the SpaceX NROL-105 mission launching from?

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket for the NROL-105 mission is launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Who builds the satellites for the NRO's proliferated architecture?

The satellites for the NRO's "proliferated architecture" are built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman.

Home / Technology / SpaceX Launches Secret Spy Satellite Mission Tonight!

SpaceX Launches Secret Spy Satellite Mission Tonight!

17 Jan

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Summary

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launches a National Reconnaissance Office mission.
The mission, NROL-105, deploys satellites for a new spy constellation.
Launch occurs from Vandenberg Space Force Base during a limited window.

SpaceX Launches Secret Spy Satellite Mission Tonight!

SpaceX is set to conduct its inaugural national security mission of 2026, designated NROL-105, tonight. The launch window opens at 11:18 p.m. EST from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This mission is crucial for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and its development of a new "proliferated architecture" of spy satellites.

The NRO's new constellation prioritizes flexibility, rapid deployment, cost-efficiency, and resilience. Director Chris Scolese highlighted the value of having hundreds of small satellites in orbit, enabling greater revisit rates and more timely delivery of intelligence information to customers.

Satellites for this proliferated architecture are a collaboration between SpaceX and Northrop Grumman, with all previous launches successfully using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets from Vandenberg. Tonight's mission marks SpaceX's seventh launch of 2026.