Falcon Heavy | NROL-97 | 02.10.2026

[Orionid]

14. start Falcon Heavy z LC-39A: NET 02.10.2026 o 03:53 UTC.

NROL-97
Numer misji   #725   
Data   2 października 2026, 05:54:00 czasu polskiego
Okno startowe   49 minut
Miejsce startu   KSC LC-39A 
Miejsce lądowania   Landing Zone 1, Landing Zone 2
Rakieta   Falcon Heavy
Booster   1106.1 (środkowy), 1072.4, 1104.2 (boczne)
Ładunek   NROL-97
Docelowa orbita   prawdopodobnie MEO
Klient   NRO

Misja z tajnym ładunkiem dla Narodowego Biura Rozpoznania (ang. NRO – National Reconnaissance Office), agencji wywiadu USA, która zarządza satelitami rozpoznawczymi dla amerykańskiego rządu. Formalnie nie są znane żadne szczegóły dotyczące ładunku. Trafił on na "wysokoenergetyczną" orbitę, podejrzewa się, że jest to orbita o wysokości ok. 11000 km nad Ziemią.

Misja została zakontraktowana w ramach rządowego programu NSSL, którego celem jest wynoszenie na orbitę ładunków związanych z bezpieczeństwem narodowym USA.

Po starcie boczne stopnie rakiety Falcon Heavy wróciły na ląd, środkowy natomiast nie został odzyskany.
Źródła: SpaceX, NRO, Next Spaceflight, mickeywzx
https://spacex.com.pl/misja/nrol-97

SpaceX is targeting Thursday, October 1 for Falcon Heavy’s launch of the NROL-97 mission from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 11:53 p.m. ET, with a backup opportunity available on Friday, October 2 at 11:48 p.m. ET.

This is the second and fourth flight for the two first stage side boosters supporting this mission, which previously launched the GOES-U, Viasat-3 F3, and Roman Space Telescope missions. Following stage separation, Falcon Heavy’s two side boosters will land on SpaceX’s Landing Zones 1 and 2 (LZ-1 and LZ-2) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

https://www.spacex.com/launches/nrol97

2) Z komunikatu SSC (Space Systems Command):

Space Systems Command Releases National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 2 FY25 Mission Assignments
Published April 7, 2025 By EL SEGUNDO, Calif.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Space Systems Command (SSC) assigned nine FY25 National Security Space Launch (NSSL) launch service missions under the Phase 3 Lane 2 contracts on 04 April 2025. Seven missions were assigned to SpaceX for a total price of $845.8M to launch NROL-96, NROL-97, NROL-157, USSF-186, USSF-234, USSF-174 and USSF-15/GPS IIIF. Two missions were assigned to ULA for a total price of $427.6M to launch USSF-50/NGG-2 and USSF-49/GPS IIIF-2. Per the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 contract, the third provider, Blue Origin, has its first opportunity for a mission in FY26.

“These missions will provide our nation with its most critical space-based effects needed to ensure national security,” said Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, Program Executive Officer for Assured Access to Space. “With these missions, our acquisition team and the launch service providers are putting new space capabilities on orbit to outpace our competitors.”

NROL-96, NROL-97, and NROL-157 are missions being conducted with our NRO partners; NROL-96 and NROL-157 will launch from the Western Range into Lower Energy orbits and NROL-97 will launch from the Eastern Range into Higher Energy orbit.

https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/Article/4148471/space-systems-command-releases-national-security-space-launch-phase-3-lane-2-fy

3)

Lukas C. H. @GewoonLukas_6:32 PM · Sep 24, 2026
The next Falcon Heavy is officially just ONE WEEK AWAY! This will be the NROL-97 mission, which will be the 1st NRO mission to launch on Falcon Heavy! Launch is NET Oct. 2 at 03:53 UTC. Side boosters B1072 & B1104 will RTLS to LZ-1 & LZ-2. Center Core B1106 will be expended.

https://twitter.com/GewoonLukas_/status/2103160607155638297

4)

Lukas C. H. @GewoonLukas_ 10:33 PM · Sep 25, 2026
One thing that's interesting about NROL-97 is that we likely saw the payload arrive aboard 1 of 2 USAF C5's that visited CCSFS on Aug. 14. The flights originated from Moffett near a Lockheed Martin facility, so the payload might've been made by Lockheed.
📸 Shawn Mathew Mariucci

Why 2 planes for 1 payload? The 1st flies in front as a 'scout' to ensure the flight goes smooth. The 1st plane also returned to base ~4 hours after landing, while the 2nd didn't leave for a week (likely to wait for the satellite to be unpacked and take the empty container back)

https://x.com/GewoonLukas_/status/2103583697706373562

Falcon Heavy launches NROL-97


SpaceX NROL-97

[Orionid]

Ma to być 5. start NRO w 2026.
3. start we współpracy z USSF SSC w 2026.

NRO @NRO_gov 3:07 PM · Sep 28, 2026
LAUNCH UPDATE: NROL-97, NRO’s 1st mission aboard a @SpaceX Falcon Heavy, is scheduled to launch from @NASA Kennedy Space Center NET Oct 1.
This mission is NRO’s 5th of 2026 and 3rd this year in partnership with @USSF_SSC🤝
To learn more visit: https://nro.gov/launches/launch-nrol-97/

https://x.com/NRO_gov/status/2104558518636265794

The mission patch serves as a tribute to the lives and sacrifices remembered on September 11, 2001, embodying NRO’s unwavering commitment to protect our warfighters, defend freedom, and help build a safer world. The lighthouse characterizes enduring strength and the ability to provide information to those in need, even in difficult times. The endpoints of the light beam align to the locations of 9 and 11 on a clock face in honor of the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Four prominent stars represent the four aircraft lost on 9/11, and the moon phase is shown as it appeared on September 11, 2026.

2) Będą kolejne starty dla NRO na pokładzie FH.

Lukas C. H. @GewoonLukas_ 7:11 PM · Sep 28, 2026
After 22 launches on Falcon 9, NROL-97 is the NRO's first launch on Falcon Heavy. While currently only 1 additional NRO launch is assigned to Falcon Heavy, that being NROL-86, there'll almost certainly be more with 3 more NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 Order Years to be announced.

https://x.com/GewoonLukas_/status/2104620096723300377

3)

SpaceX @SpaceX 11:42 PM · Sep 28, 2026
Falcon Heavy and its 27 Merlin engines in the hangar at Launch Complex 39A in Florida

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/2104688132100919745

4)

Lukas C. H. @GewoonLukas_ 7:05 AM · Sep 29, 2026
Visible in the bottom right here is B1099, a recoverable center core. B1099 is expected to fly on the next Falcon Heavy launch after NROL-97, which will be Griffin-1 NET November. That mission is expected to feature the first center core recovery attempt since STP-2 in 2019.

https://x.com/GewoonLukas_/status/2104799591434801530

5)

Lukas C. H. @GewoonLukas_ 6:54 PM · Sep 29, 2026
Hazard area's for NROL-97 are out, and they show that Falcon Heavy will be flying northeast, and that they will deorbit the second stage. Based on the heading of the deorbit area, it looks like the target orbit could be similar to NROL-101 (~11,100 km MEO at 58,5° inclination).

https://x.com/GewoonLukas_/status/2104978081626919196

[Orionid]

Wyjazd na wyrzutnię.

SpaceX @SpaceX 3:27 AM · Sep 30, 2026
Falcon Heavy rolls out to the launch pad at 39A ahead of the @NRO_gov and @USSF_SSC’s NROL-97 mission

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/2105107345852522585

2) https://x.com/_rykllan/status/2105764071983440109/photo/1

3) 2. w jednym 

SpaceX @SpaceX 1:27 AM · Oct 2, 2026
Up next, Falcon Heavy will launch the NROL-97 mission from Launch Complex 39A in Florida → https://spacex.com/launches/nrol97

[Orionid]

Pogoda była bardzo sprzyjająca startowi.

SpaceX @SpaceX 4:00 AM · Oct 2, 2026
Less than two hours until tonight’s Falcon Heavy launch of NROL-97 from pad 39A in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 11:53 p.m. ET, and weather is 80% favorable → https://spacex.com/launches/nrol97

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/2105840233891709153

Noah Bergren @NbergWX 4:38 AM · Oct 2, 2026
SONIC BOOM TONIGHT: Space X Falcon Heavy set to launch at 11:53PM from Cape Canaveral and you will hear the loud, window rattling, ground shaking sonic boom 7-8 mins after launch around Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral. The boom may still be heard well inland, although fainter and around 10-11 minutes after launch.

Falcon Heavy's side boosters as they return to Earth cause this. When the twin side boosters break the speed of sound during their descent, they generate compressed air waves that hit the ground as loud, double-thumping sonic booms.

SpaceX is scheduled to launch a classified national security payload tonight using its Falcon Heavy rocket. The mission, codenamed NROL-97, is being conducted for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), America's spy satellite agency.

https://x.com/NbergWX/status/2105849972830748705

[Orionid]

Najkrótszy okres przerwy między startami FH.
Oba boczne boostery rakiety odbyły loty 30.08.2026 do wyniesienia RST.
SpaceX przywrócił do użytku LZ-1 na potrzeby tej misji z powodu użycia LZ-40 na LC-40 przez booster, który posłużył 01.10.2026 do wyniesienia misji Crew 13.

Start ciężkiego Falcona
  02.10. o 03:54:00 z KSC wystrzelona została RN Falcon Heavy, która wyniosła na orbitę tajnego satelitę USA-708 (NRO L-97).
Blok centralny rakiety (B1106.1) został zatopiony, prawy (B1104.2) wylądował na LZ-1, lewy (B1072.4) na LZ-2.
http://lk.astronautilus.pl/n261001.htm#03
https://kosmonauta.net/2026/10/falcon-heavy-wynosi-nrol-97/#google_vignette
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=65816.0

SpaceX @SpaceX 5:55 AM · Oct 2, 2026
Falcon Heavy lifts off from pad 39A in Florida for the 14th time!

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/2105869223364907040

[Orionid]

NROL-97 to pierwszy ładunek bezpieczeństwa narodowego wystrzelony w ramach kontraktu NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2, który zapewnia pełne zabezpieczenie misji dla najbardziej wymagających misji. NSSL, rządowy program partnerstwa w zakresie pozyskiwania satelitów startowych pomiędzy SSC i NRO, mający na celu zapewnienie ciągłego, pewnego dostępu do przestrzeni kosmicznej dla misji bezpieczeństwa narodowego, jest nadzorowany i obsługiwany przez System Delta 80 SSC z siedzibą w Stacji Sił Kosmicznych Cape Canaveral na Florydzie.

W ciągu ostatnich kilku lat NRO wystrzelił setki satelitów, tworząc największą i najbardziej wydajną konstelację rządową na orbicie w historii naszego kraju. Bazując na tym impecie, rok 2026 zapowiada się jako kolejny dynamiczny rok, z rosnącą częstotliwością startów do końca roku.
https://www.nro.gov/Portals/135/Documents/news/press/2026/NROL-97%20Press%20Release_Final.pdf
https://x.com/NRO_gov/status/2105937100730204346

SpaceX @SpaceX 7:47 AM · Oct 2, 2026
Falcon Heavy launches NROL-97 from pad 39A in Florida

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/2105897474300973427

[Orionid]

Ben Cooper @LaunchPhoto 4:37 PM · Oct 2, 2026
Yesterday in a nutshell. Falcon Heavy launches NROL-97 12 hours after Crew-13.

https://twitter.com/LaunchPhoto/status/2106030850554925132

John Winkopp SpaceCoastPictures @John_Winkopp Last edited 3:04 PM · Oct 2, 2026
NROL97 as seen from Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral Space Force Base for WAI media.

https://twitter.com/John_Winkopp/status/2106007316726169619

John Kraus @johnkrausphotos 6:07 AM · Oct 2, 2026
A Falcon Heavy rocket flies by the Moon during launch of the NROL-97 mission

https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/2105872293209526704

[Orionid]

SpaceX @SpaceX 7:43 PM · Oct 2, 2026
Teams complete three Falcon launches, four first stage landings at four landing zones in Florida and California, and docking Dragon to the @Space_Station for our 21st human spaceflight in under 13 hours

More from yesterday’s launches

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/2106077656462893321

[Orionid]

SpaceX @SpaceX 6:02 AM · Oct 2, 2026
Falcon Heavy’s side boosters land on LZ-1 and LZ-2

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/2105871098218778969

JohnCn @JConcilus 3:41 PM · Oct 2, 2026
Last landing of side-by-side Falcon 9 boosters so close to public viewing?
• LZ-1 is unlikely to be used again. It was retired in August 2025 after Crew-11, but LZ-40 had the Crew-13 Falcon.
• LZ-2 should see one more landing for the Griffin One mission in December (NET).

https://twitter.com/JConcilus/status/2106016710381703612

Pete Carstens @CarstensPete 12:31 AM · Oct 3, 2026
Dual booster landing from Falcon Heavy NROL-97.
If you view it on a big screen, you can see the boosters pass by the left of the moon. @SpaceflightNow @SpaceX #FalconHeavy

https://twitter.com/CarstensPete/status/2106150003622478008

NRO (@NRO_gov) October 2, 2026
NROL-97 successfully launches! 🚀
"…reusing the side boosters from @NASARoman enabled us to eliminate schedule delays and share mission assurance practices for a rapid turn-around of the Falcon Heavy…” said Col. Kathryn Cantu, NRO’s director of space launch.

Kod: [Zaznacz]

https://x.com/NRO_gov/status/2106074330845028772
2) Fairing
https://x.com/_rykllan/status/2105959804217032866

Falcon Heavy flies its first mission for U.S. spy satellite agency
October 1, 2026 Spaceflight Now

(...) Like most NRO missions, little is publicly known about the nature the flight. It was the first NRO mission to fly after being procured in 2025 through the competitive National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 2 contract. (...)

The side boosters returned to Landing Zones 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station with thunderous sonic booms. SpaceX returned LZ-1 to service for this mission after it was replaced by LZ-40 at Space Launch Complex 40. However, that landing pad was used earlier in the day on Thursday by the booster returning from launching the Crew 13 mission, B1101.

The NRO said the payload fairing was previously used on the NROL-95 mission in July.

NROL-97 was SpaceX’s third Falcon launch of the day. In addition to the Crew 13 mission, the company launched 130 payloads on the Transporter 13 rideshare mission from its West Coast pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. It was the first time the company has landed four boosters in a single day.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2026/10/01/falcon-heavy-to-fly-its-first-mission-for-u-s-spy-satellite-agency/