SpaceX to Orbit Classified NRO Payload on Falcon 9 From Cape Canaveral

SpaceX is targeting a 3:10 a.m. EDT liftoff from Cape Canaveral’s SLC-40 to deploy a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload on a Falcon 9 rocket (B1096). Weather forecasters put the chance of favorable conditions at 70%, with potential weather-related launch constraints. The booster is expected to land at Landing Zone 2 about 8.5 minutes after launch, marking SpaceX’s 18th recovery at the site and the 642nd booster landing. The NROL-95 mission is part of the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 contract, with SpaceX awarded the task order in August 2024; live coverage starts roughly an hour before liftoff.