SpaceX Falcon 9 launches NROL-113 mission

SpaceX has launched the NROL-113 mission to orbit with the Falcon 9 rocket for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in partnership with US Space Force Launch Delta 30.

The launch happened in clear weather from Space Launch  Complex-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

These NROL satellites are designed and operated by NRO and the details about payload are classified. So, there’s not much information about their purpose.

However, NRO has published an emblem for this mission, which shows blue circles depicting a proliferated constellation of satellites. It reflects a new paradigm for assets the NRO is putting in orbit.

The constellation design suggests an eye’s iris, representing NRO’s reconnaissance mission, which is seeing Earth from space. Other elements in the emblem design include a limitless horizon and the path to orbit with a four-point star.

The emblem has the tagline “Strength in Numbers” pointing at NRO’s strategy for improved satellite design, capability, and quantity.

Among the new satellites, this is the third launch of NRO’s proliferated architecture.

The mission was carried by a first-stage booster completing its 20th flight. It previously supported flights for Sentinel-6 Michale Freilich, DART, Transporter-7, Iridium OneWeb, SDA-0B, and 14 Starlink missions.

After stage separation, the booster maintained its trajectory and landed on an Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

Note: SpaceX will soon confirm NROL-113 deployment.