SpaceX is targeting a 3:09 a.m. EDT launch Thursday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The Falcon 9 rocket will carry the NROL-95 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. Sonic booms from the booster’s return-to-launch-site landing at Landing Zone 2 could be heard across the Space Coast and parts of Central Florida. The mission is classified, and the National Reconnaissance Office has not disclosed details about the payload. A backup launch window is available at 2:55 a.m. Friday if weather or technical issues delay the initial attempt.
The Falcon 9’s first-stage booster, which has flown seven missions before, previously supported launches including KF-01, IMAP, NROL-77, GPS III-9, CRS-34, and a Starlink mission. This will be its seventh flight. The booster is expected to land at Landing Zone 2 shortly after liftoff, generating sonic booms that may be audible as far as Titusville and Melbourne. Residents are advised to stay indoors if they hear the booms, though no safety risks are expected.
The National Reconnaissance Office oversees U.S. spy satellite programs, but details about NROL-95’s payload remain undisclosed. SpaceX has not released information about the mission’s purpose, and the U.S. government typically keeps such details secret for national security reasons. The launch is part of a routine schedule for the company, which frequently operates from Cape Canaveral.
If the Thursday launch is delayed, a backup opportunity is set for 2:55 a.m. Friday. Weather conditions and technical checks will determine whether the mission proceeds as planned. The launch window is narrow, and delays are common in the space industry due to factors like wind speed and cloud cover. Residents near the Space Coast are encouraged to monitor updates from SpaceX and local authorities.