NROL-97

Mission: NROL-97

Government/Top Secret

Classified payload for the US National Reconnaissance Office.

Customers: NRO

What it put in orbit

COSPAR ID 2026-228. Orbits from the CelesTrak satellite catalogue (perigee × apogee, inclination).

Where to watch

Timeline

1. T−00:53:00 GO for Prop Load
2. T−00:50:00 Stage 1 Propellant Load
3. T−00:45:00 Stage 1 LOX Load
4. T−00:35:00 Stage 2 Propellant Load
5. T−00:18:30 Stage 2 LOX Load
6. T−00:07:00 Engine Chill
7. T−00:00:59 Startup
8. T−00:00:45 GO for Launch
9. T−00:00:20 Tank Press
10. T−00:00:06 Ignition
11. T+00:00:00 Liftoff
12. T+00:01:09 Max-Q
13. T+00:02:24 SBECO
14. T+00:02:27 Boosters Separation
15. T+00:02:31 Boosters Flip
16. T+00:02:42 Boosters Boostback Burn Startup
17. T+00:03:47 Boosters Boostback Burn Shutdown
18. T+00:03:51 MECO
19. T+00:03:54 Stage 2 Separation
20. T+00:04:00 SES-1
21. T+00:04:17 Fairing Separation
22. T+00:06:29 Boosters Entry Burn Startup
23. T+00:06:37 Boosters Entry Burn Shutdown
24. T+00:07:30 Boosters Landing Burn
25. T+00:07:47 Boosters Landing

In the news

• Falcon Heavy to fly its first mission for U.S. spy satellite agency Spaceflight Now, 1 Oct 2026
• Falcon Heavy set to launch classified NROL-97 to high-energy orbit NASASpaceflight, 1 Oct 2026

Headlines via the Spaceflight News API.

Updates

• Launch success. source
• Payload deployed. source
• Liftoff. source
• Unofficial Re-stream by SPACE AFFAIRS has started source
• Tweaked T-0. source
• Updated launch weather, 80% GO. source
• Updated launch weather, 60% GO. source
• GO for launch. source
• NET early fall 2026 (launch identity per https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=55784.msg2715269#msg2715269; booster assignments per https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5OJk1FuEKg). source
• Updated launch vehicle configuration. source
• Adding launch, year TBD source