SpaceX successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket for the NROL-48 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base on Monday.
Liftoff took place at 10:38 a.m. PST amid foggy conditions. This was the 18th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, EarthCARE, NROL-186, Transporter-13, TRACERS, and nine Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage landed on Landing Zone 4.
The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has partnered with the U.S. Space Force Space Launch Delta 30 and SpaceX for this launch. This mission is the eleventh overall launch of the NRO’s architecture and fifth proliferated launch of 2025. This launch marks the Vandenberg Spaceport and Test Range’s 49th launch of 2025.
NRO helps to meet the needs of its U.S. intelligence, military, civil, and allied partners. “It remains the world’s leader in unique intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems,” a press release from Vandenberg states.
Residents in areas near Vandenberg Space Force Base likely heard a sonic boom during the first stage landing. Additionally, Vandenberg’s analysis indicated that an audible ascent sonic boom was likely heard over the cities of Ventura and Oxnard approximately 8 to 10 minutes after liftoff.
A live webcast of this mission can be viewed here: https://www.spacex.com/
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Apparently fog ruled the day. Only thing visible at launch was the flames at liftoff; landing was almost visible on the pad…
Big boom heard in SB so it wasn’t unnoticed.