SpaceX launches a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on April 6, 2024. (SpaceX)
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Friday night.
The rocket lifted off at 8:14 p.m. PT
Friday night’s mission, called NROL-186, involved transporting a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, a government agency in charge of designing and building spy satellites for the U.S.
After launching vertically, the Falcon began a gradual turn while continuing to climb into orbit.
Following stage separation after liftoff, the Falcon’s reusable booster made a pinpoint landing back on the spaceport drone ship, “Of Course I Still Love You,” which is stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California, carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, a government agency in charge of building U.S. spy satellites on June 28, 2024. (SpaceX)
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California, carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, a government agency in charge of building U.S. spy satellites on June 28, 2024. (SpaceX)
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California, carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, a government agency in charge of building U.S. spy satellites on June 28, 2024. (SpaceX)
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California, carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, a government agency in charge of building U.S. spy satellites on June 28, 2024. (SpaceX)
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California, carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, a government agency in charge of building U.S. spy satellites on June 28, 2024. (SpaceX)
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California, carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, a government agency in charge of building U.S. spy satellites on June 28, 2024. (SpaceX)
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket returned to earth and made a pinoint landing on the spaceport drone ship, “Of Course I Still Love You,” in the Pacific Ocean on June 28, 2024. (SpaceX)
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket returned to earth and made a pinoint landing on the spaceport drone ship, “Of Course I Still Love You,” in the Pacific Ocean on June 28, 2024. (SpaceX)
The first-stage booster on this particular Falcon 9 rocket has completed eight liftoffs so far.
The booster has previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, EarthCARE, and two Starlink missions.
Friday night’s launch could be visible from hundreds of miles away along the Southern California coast.
The mission was the 66th Falcon 9 flight in 2024. So far, 47 of the rocket’s launches were dedicated to building SpaceX’s Starlink broadband satellite network in low Earth orbit.
Daisy Hips is a science communicator who brings the wonders of the natural world to readers. Her articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to environmental conservation. Daisy is also an advocate for science education and enjoys stargazing in her spare time.
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