The U.S. Space Force has cleared SpaceX to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the NROL-172 mission to low-Earth orbit on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg is targeted for 3:28 p.m. PT, with an available launch window extending to 7:28 p.m. PT. A backup opportunity is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12 at 3:15 p.m. PT if needed.
A live webcast is slated to begin about 10 minutes before liftoff at spacex.com/launches/nrol172, on X @SpaceX, and via the X TV app.
Depending on weather and other conditions, residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the mission.
This will be the second flight for the Falcon 9 first-stage booster assigned to NROL-172; it previously launched a Starlink mission. After stage separation, the booster is expected to land on the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You,” stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
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