A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched at 5:15 p.m. ET July 21, 2026, from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, carrying a Northrop Grumman spacecraft on the MRV-MEP mission. The rocket rose eastward, with the first-stage booster burning up during reentry instead of landing on a drone ship. The Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron had predicted a 75% chance of favorable weather, though cumulus and anvil clouds posed risks as Tropical Storm Bertha moved west-northwest along the Gulf Coast. Drier air was expected to sweep across Florida, improving conditions for the launch.
The mission aims to deploy the Mission Robotic Vehicle, a spacecraft designed to inspect, repair and upgrade satellites in orbit. This marks Northrop Grumman’s first use of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 for such a task. The spacecraft will support the U.S. Space Force’s efforts to maintain and extend the lifespan of military and commercial satellites. The launch follows a series of delays caused by shifting weather patterns and technical checks.
The Falcon 9’s first-stage booster, which has flown 32 previous missions, including cargo deliveries to the International Space Station and Starlink satellite deployments, was set to retire after this flight. SpaceX confirmed the booster had previously launched missions such as CRS-24, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, and multiple Starlink batches. The booster’s final flight came amid ongoing efforts to reuse rocket components, though this mission’s booster would not attempt a landing.
Local observers at the Space Coast reported clear skies shortly after liftoff, with the rocket’s plume visible over the Atlantic. The spacecraft is expected to reach orbit within minutes, beginning its journey to a classified destination. This launch highlights the growing collaboration between SpaceX and defense contractors to advance on-orbit satellite maintenance capabilities. The mission’s success could influence future satellite servicing operations in the region.