MISSION OVERVIEW
Thirteenth batch of satellites for a reconnaissance satellite constellation built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for the National Reconnaissance Office to provide imaging and other reconnaissance capabilities.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Falcon 9AGENCY
SpaceXMISSION
NROL-172
MISSION TYPE
Government/Top Secret
TARGET ORBIT
Unknown
LAUNCH PAD
Space Launch Complex 4ELAUNCH SITE
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USACOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Half-year
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 24f0b5b1-f573-4cc9-8898-1eb7fd5cc0f2
Reported date: May 12, 2026 at 02:13 UTC
Last synced: 1 hour ago
SPACEX API
Cross-referenced with community SpaceX data
X (TWITTER) SEARCH
IN FLIGHT reported by @NASASpaceflight
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
SCHEDULE & STATUS HISTORY
STATUS CHANGEMay 12, 2026 at 06:58 UTC
IN FLIGHT → SUCCESS
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGEMay 12, 2026 at 02:33 UTC
GO → IN FLIGHT
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(3.8 hrs)
May 11, 2026 at 09:43 UTCMay 11, 2026 22:28 → May 12, 2026 02:13 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
MOVED UP(2 days)
May 8, 2026 at 00:43 UTCMay 13, 2026 22:01 → May 11, 2026 22:28 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(2 days)
May 7, 2026 at 18:58 UTCMay 11, 2026 22:28 → May 13, 2026 22:01 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
MOVED UP(2 days)
May 7, 2026 at 16:28 UTCMay 13, 2026 22:01 → May 11, 2026 22:28 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGEMay 6, 2026 at 18:59 UTC
TBC → GO
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(23.8 hrs)
May 6, 2026 at 14:43 UTCMay 12, 2026 22:15 → May 13, 2026 22:01 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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CAN YOU SEE THIS LAUNCH?
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BOOSTER — B1097 →
#9THIS FLIGHT
9TOTAL FLIGHTS
9/9LANDINGS
22dTURNAROUND
FLIGHT-PROVEN BOOSTER
ASDS — Of Course I Still Love You SUCCESS
First flight: Sep 3, 2025Previous flight: Apr 19, 2026
VEHICLE — Falcon 9 →
MANUFACTURER
SpaceX
VARIANT
Block 5
FLIGHTS
581
SUCCESSES
580
SUCCESS RATE
99.8%
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
LAUNCH VIDEOS
ARTICLES & COVERAGE
MORE INFO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Falcon 9 Block 5 | NROL-172 launch?
The Falcon 9 Block 5 | NROL-172 is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 2:13 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for NROL-172?
The Falcon 9 Block 5 | NROL-172 mission uses the Falcon 9 rocket, manufactured by SpaceX. The Falcon 9 has flown 581 times with a 99.8% success rate.
Where is the Falcon 9 Block 5 | NROL-172 launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit is NROL-172 going to?
The NROL-172 mission is targeting Unknown.
Who is launching NROL-172?
The Falcon 9 Block 5 | NROL-172 is operated by SpaceX.
Can I watch the Falcon 9 Block 5 | NROL-172 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
May 15, 2026 07:58 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
May 12, 2026 06:58 UTC
Status changed: IN FLIGHT u2192 SUCCESS
Launch completed successfully (via Launch Library 2)
May 12, 2026 02:33 UTC
Status changed: GO u2192 IN FLIGHT
Launch IN FLIGHT (via Launch Library 2)
May 11, 2026 09:43 UTC
Launch delayed by 3.8 hours
May 11, 2026 22:28 UTC u2192 May 12, 2026 02:13 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
May 8, 2026 00:43 UTC
Launch moved up by 47.6 hours
May 13, 2026 22:01 UTC u2192 May 11, 2026 22:28 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
May 7, 2026 18:58 UTC
Launch delayed by 47.6 hours
May 11, 2026 22:28 UTC u2192 May 13, 2026 22:01 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
May 7, 2026 16:28 UTC
Launch moved up by 47.6 hours
May 13, 2026 22:01 UTC u2192 May 11, 2026 22:28 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
May 6, 2026 18:59 UTC
Status changed: TBC u2192 GO
Launch GO for launch (via Launch Library 2)
May 6, 2026 14:43 UTC
Launch delayed by 23.8 hours
May 12, 2026 22:15 UTC u2192 May 13, 2026 22:01 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
May 1, 2026 16:51 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
May 1, 2026 16:51 UTC
Launch date set: May 12, 2026 at 02:13 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by SpaceX
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 1 hour ago
IN FLIGHT reported by @NASASpaceflight on X
●Launch Library 21 hour ago
Launch ID: 24f0b5b1-f573-4cc9-8898-1eb7fd5cc0f2
●Open-Meteo Weather1 hour ago
Pad weather at 34.63, -120.61
●YouTube Video Search2 months ago
3 videos discovered
●X (Twitter) Search1 hour ago
10 tweets (2 from official accounts)
RECENT FROM X
3 days ago
Watch Falcon 9 launch the @NRO_gov and @USSF_SSCu2019s NROL-172 mission from pad 4E in California https://t.co/BObd0w7pm9
2193 ♥ 380 ↻
View on X →3 days ago
LAUNCH! SpaceX Falcon 9 B1097-9 launches NROL-172 from SLC-4E, Vandenberg. https://t.co/do8vEmzsQK https://t.co/Jm3uOvGrrv
180 ♥ 20 ↻
View on X →3 days ago
Guardians and Airmen at Vandenberg Space Force Base supported the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the NROL-172 mission, Monday, May 11, 2026 at 7:14 p.m. from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E).n#WelcomeToSpaceCountry #CaliforniaIsSpaceCountry #GatewayToTheFuture ht
46 ♥ 9 ↻
View on X →3 days ago
Liftoff of NROL-172!!nnHavent seen a spylink launch in a while https://t.co/3HVSQTGuqX
18 ♥
View on X →3 days ago
@SpaceX @NRO_gov @USSF_SSC Successful launch and landing of SpaceX NRO and USSF NROL-172 MISSION from CA!!! Congratulations Elon and SpaceX ud83dude80 u2665ufe0f
6 ♥
View on X →
