The classified mission, designated NROL-95, lifted off aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, at 3:10 a.m. local time (0710 GMT) on July 30, 2026. Shortly after liftoff, the NRO confirmed that the payload was successfully deployed into its intended orbit.
The Falcon 9 first-stage booster, bearing serial number B1096, executed a vertical touchdown at Cape Canaveral’s Landing Zone 2 (LZ-2) approximately 8.5 minutes after launch. Completing its seventh mission, the booster marked the 18th successful landing at the LZ-2 facility and the 642nd recovery in SpaceX's overall booster recovery history.
Reinforcing Intelligence Architecture
Reflecting on the operation post-launch, Col. Kathryn Cantu, Director of the NRO Office of Space Launch and NROL-95 Mission Director, highlighted the strategic importance of the joint effort.
"The collaboration between the NRO, the U.S. Space Force, and Space Systems Command (SSC) continues to advance our nation’s intelligence architecture through next-generation satellite capabilities and integrated operations," Cantu said. "This partnership allows us to rapidly field resilient Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets while maintaining the agility and persistence necessary to outpace evolving threats."
Executed Under the National Security Space Launch Program
The NROL-95 mission marks the third NRO payload launched via a Falcon 9 under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 contract, managed by the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command. The task order for this mission was awarded to SpaceX in August 2024.