SpaceX launched the Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 3:10 a.m. ET on Thursday, July 30, 2026, carrying a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. The rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40, lighting up the night sky over Brevard County as it ascended. This mission, designated NROL-95, is the fourth classified launch for the NRO this year. Details about the payload or intended orbit were not disclosed due to its national security classification.
The Falcon 9’s first-stage booster, which had previously flown on six missions, separated from the second stage eight minutes after liftoff. It returned to Cape Canaveral and landed successfully at Landing Zone 2. The booster’s prior missions included the KF-01, IMAP, NROL-77, GPS III-9, CRS-34, and a Starlink deployment. SpaceX reused the same booster for the seventh time, a common practice in the company’s operations.
The launch was visible across the Space Coast, with residents and visitors in nearby areas able to see the rocket’s ascent. No major delays or issues were reported during the flight. The mission’s success continues SpaceX’s partnership with the NRO, which has relied on the company for classified satellite deployments since 2019.
SpaceX had targeted July 30 for the launch after earlier delays due to weather and technical checks. The company confirmed the mission’s completion through its official social media channels, though no further details about the payload or its purpose were shared. The launch marks another step in SpaceX’s frequent operations at Cape Canaveral, which hosts multiple commercial and government missions annually.