NROL-97
Falcon Heavy, SpaceX
Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
Launch time
T-0
Fri 2 Oct, 05:54 CEST
03:54 UTC
The rocket put its payload into the planned orbit.
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How sure is this date?
The source gives minute precision. Launch plans can change.
Launch probability 90%
Weather concerns: Cumulus Cloud Rule, Thick Cloud Layers Rule
Source updated
UpdatedSlip history
No changes since we started tracking on .
- LL2 update
Launch success.
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Payload deployed.
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Liftoff.
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Unofficial Re-stream by SPACE AFFAIRS has started
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Tweaked T-0.
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Updated launch weather, 80% GO.
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Updated launch weather, 60% GO.
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GO for launch.
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Show 3 older entries
- LL2 update
NET early fall 2026 (launch identity per https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=55784.msg2715269#msg2715269; booster assignments per https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5OJk1FuEKg).
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Updated launch vehicle configuration.
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Adding launch, year TBD
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Mission
NROL-97 on Falcon Heavy from Launch Complex 39A. Launch time, status and recorded date changes from Launch Library 2.
Classified payload for the US National Reconnaissance Office.
- Mission type
- Government/Top Secret
- Orbit
- Unknown
Rocket file imagery
File imagery: Psyche, 13 October 2023. Falcon Heavy lifting off from Launch Complex 39A.
Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani · Public domain (NASA) · SourceMission patches
- NROL-97 Patch
Patch artwork is not shown because its image licence is unconfirmed.
Launch timeline
Times are relative to liftoff.
- T-53 min
GO for Prop Load
Launch director verifies go for propellant load
- T-50 min
Stage 1 Propellant Load
Start of propellant loading in the first stage
- T-45 min
Stage 1 LOX Load
Start of liquid oxygen loading in the first stage
- T-35 min
Stage 2 Propellant Load
Start of propellant loading in the second stage
- T-18 min 30 s
Stage 2 LOX Load
Start of liquid oxygen loading in the second stage
- T-7 min
Engine Chill
Start of engine chilling
- T-59 s
Startup
The onboard computer takes control over the countdown and runs last checks
- T-45 s
GO for Launch
Launch director verifies go for launch
- T-20 s
Tank Press
Fuel tanks are pressurized to flight levels
- T-6 s
Ignition
Start of the engine ignition sequence
- T-0
Liftoff
First upwards movement of the rocket
- T+1 min 9 s
Max-Q
Maximum dynamic pressure
- T+2 min 24 s
SBECO
Cut-off of the side boosters
- T+2 min 27 s
Boosters Separation
Separation of the side boosters
- T+2 min 31 s
Boosters Flip
Flip maneuver of the side boosters
- T+2 min 42 s
Boosters Boostback Burn Startup
Start of the boosters boostback burn
- T+3 min 47 s
Boosters Boostback Burn Shutdown
End of the boosters boostback burn
- T+3 min 51 s
MECO
Cut-off of the main engine
- T+3 min 54 s
Stage 2 Separation
Separation of the second stage from the first
- T+4 min
SES-1
First start of the second engine
- T+4 min 17 s
Fairing Separation
Separation of the payload fairing
- T+6 min 29 s
Boosters Entry Burn Startup
Start of the boosters atmospheric entry burn
- T+6 min 37 s
Boosters Entry Burn Shutdown
End of the boosters atmospheric entry burn
- T+7 min 30 s
Boosters Landing Burn
Start of the boosters landing burn
- T+7 min 47 s
Boosters Landing
Landing of the boosters
Launch pad
Launch Complex 39A
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA (US)
Coordinates: 28.60822681, -80.60428186
View launch pad on a map