TITUSVILLE, FL – SpaceX concluded a magnificent Space Coast launch double header today Oct. 1 with a stunning triple stick Falcon Heavy blastoff carrying a clandestine spy satellite to orbit for the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) just before midnight – following the NASA Crew-13 astronaut Falcon 9 noontime launch.This mission marked the first time a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket was used to fly a spy satellite payload to orbit for the NRO – Americas spy satellite agency
Once again defying the poor weather, liftoff of the triple core SpaceX Falcon Heavy on the mission code named NROL-97 took place right on time at 11:54 p.m. ET, from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center from Florida’s Space Coast.
As is customary, nothing is known about the nature, goals, location, surveillance powers and specifications of the NROL-97 satellite – other than it serves to enhance and protect US National Security
However the NRO did confirm the mission was successful.
“The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), in partnership with U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command’s (SSC), System Delta 80, Space Launch Delta 45, and SpaceX, successfully launched the NROL-97 mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida,” said the NRO in a press release
Overall this marked the 14th Falcon Heavy launch
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy put on a spectacle as we watched it launch with a rising moon and into thick clouds.
Roaring to orbit on a northeasterly trajectory the 229 ft tall rocket blasted off on 5 million pounds of liftoff thrust from 27 Merlin 1-D first stage engines
Our viewing location at Space View Park along the Indian River Lagoon was packed with spectators of all ages and afforded a clear and spectacular view of the rocket ascending
Some eight minutes later the twin side boosters touched down at LZ-1 & LZ-2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station – accompanied by a double dose of screaming sonic booms and cheers from the crowd throughout
Check out our lead image showing a long duration timelapse streak of the rocket launch, stage separation, boostback and landing burns – along with the Max Brewer bridge, piers & condos at left and another pier and boat docks at right along Indian River Lagoon water front
Also see Jean Wright streak shot
Enjoy our launch photos taken by Ken Kremer and Jean Wright for Space UpClose
I was interviewed live on Fox 35 Orlando around 11:45 p.m. ET – just a few minutes before liftoff to explain what exactly was happening and why it was important
The pair of Falcon launches took place just about 12 hours and a few miles apart with the Falcon Heavy following on the heels of the Falcon 9 – making for an unforgettable day for space enthusiasts on the space coast
Altogether SpaceX launched 3 Falcon missions today – the third being from Vandenburg SFB in California on the Transporter 13 rideshare mission.
The center core booster was new with tail number B1104. Both side boosters are recently flown on NASAs Nancy Grace Roman mission launched on Aug. 30 – see our story and photos
“The NROL-97 mission successfully capitalized on flight-proven hardware, repurposing payload fairings from the NROL-95 launch on July 30 and side boosters from NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope mission on Aug. 30,” said the NRO in a press release.
“…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
Dr. Ken Kremer of Space UpClose interviewed live on Fox 35 Orlando with Fox 35 reporter Baileigh Bockover and Jean Wright of Space UpClose at Space View Park, Titusville, about the SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch of NROL-97 spysat for the NRO just before liftoff at at 11:54 p.m. ET, Oct. 1, 2026 from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com
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