SPACEX
Falcon Heavy | NROL-97
—
—
Oct 2, 2026 at 03:54 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
Initializing Launch Globe…
4 streams
MISSION OVERVIEW
Classified payload for the US National Reconnaissance Office.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Falcon HeavyAGENCY
SpaceXMISSION
NROL-97
MISSION TYPE
Government/Top Secret
TARGET ORBIT
Unknown
LAUNCH PAD
Launch Complex 39ALAUNCH SITE
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USACOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Half-year
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 4651fd8a-43de-4166-bf8f-c168b3bd1d2c
Reported date: Oct 2, 2026 at 03:54 UTC
Last synced: 1 minute ago
SPACEX API
Cross-referenced with community SpaceX data
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
SCHEDULE & STATUS HISTORY
STATUS CHANGEOct 2, 2026 at 07:03 UTC
IN FLIGHT → SUCCESS
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGEOct 2, 2026 at 03:57 UTC
GO → IN FLIGHT
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGESep 24, 2026 at 14:48 UTC
TBD → GO
Source: Launch Library 2
MOVED UP(28.8 days)
Sep 24, 2026 at 14:48 UTCOct 31, 2026 00:00 → Oct 2, 2026 03:53 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
Loading weather…
CAN YOU SEE THIS LAUNCH?
Select a location to check if this launch is visible from where you are
BOOSTER — B1072
#4THIS FLIGHT
4TOTAL FLIGHTS
4/4LANDINGS
32dTURNAROUND
FLIGHT-PROVEN BOOSTER
RTLS — Landing Zone 2 SUCCESS
First flight: Jun 25, 2024Previous flight: Aug 30, 2026
BOOSTER — B1104
#2THIS FLIGHT
2TOTAL FLIGHTS
2/2LANDINGS
32dTURNAROUND
FLIGHT-PROVEN BOOSTER
RTLS — Landing Zone 1 SUCCESS
First flight: Aug 30, 2026Previous flight: Aug 30, 2026
BOOSTER — B1106
#1THIS FLIGHT
1TOTAL FLIGHTS
NEW BOOSTER
First flight: Oct 2, 2026
VEHICLE — Falcon Heavy →
MANUFACTURER
SpaceX
VARIANT
Heavy
FLIGHTS
14
SUCCESSES
14
SUCCESS RATE
100%
The Falcon Heavy is a variant of the Falcon 9 full thrust launch vehicle and consists of a standard Falcon 9 rocket core, with two additional boosters derived from the Falcon 9 first stage.
LAUNCH VIDEOS
ARTICLES & COVERAGE
MORE INFO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Falcon Heavy | NROL-97 launch?
The Falcon Heavy | NROL-97 is scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2026 at 3:54 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-97?
The Falcon Heavy | NROL-97 mission uses the Falcon Heavy rocket, manufactured by SpaceX. The Falcon Heavy has flown 14 times with a 100% success rate.
Where is the Falcon Heavy | NROL-97 launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.
What orbit is NROL-97 going to?
The NROL-97 mission is targeting Unknown.
Who is launching NROL-97?
The Falcon Heavy | NROL-97 is operated by SpaceX.
Can I watch the Falcon Heavy | NROL-97 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
Oct 2, 2026 07:03 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Oct 2, 2026 07:03 UTC
Status changed: IN FLIGHT u2192 SUCCESS
Launch completed successfully (via Launch Library 2)
Oct 2, 2026 03:57 UTC
Status changed: GO u2192 IN FLIGHT
Launch IN FLIGHT (via Launch Library 2)
Oct 1, 2026 19:17 UTC
Falcon Heavy set to launch classified NROL-97 to high-energy orbitSpaceXu2019s Falcon Heavy is poised atop Launch Complex 39A once again, this time to launchu2026 The post Falcon Heavy set to launch classified NROL-97 to…
NASASpaceflight
Sep 24, 2026 14:48 UTC
Launch moved up by 28.8 days
Oct 31, 2026 00:00 UTC u2192 Oct 2, 2026 03:53 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Sep 24, 2026 14:48 UTC
Status changed: TBD u2192 GO
Launch GO for launch (via Launch Library 2)
Sep 8, 2026 16:18 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Sep 8, 2026 16:18 UTC
Launch date set: Oct 2, 2026 at 03:54 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by SpaceX
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 1 minute ago
●Launch Library 21 minute ago
Launch ID: 4651fd8a-43de-4166-bf8f-c168b3bd1d2c
●Spaceflight News API3 minutes ago
1 article matched
●Open-Meteo Weather4 weeks ago
Pad weather at 28.61, -80.6
Mission Profile
NROL-97 was a Falcon Heavy mission operated by SpaceX that lifted off from Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA on October 2, 2026. The flight carried its payload on a government/top secret mission to Unknown. The first stage, booster B1072, made its 4th flight, returning to service just 32 days after its previous mission. The launch was a success.