Updated 7:24 a.m. EST (1224 UTC): Adjusted launch time and Falcon 9 booster details included.
SpaceX is gearing up for its final 2024 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The highly anticipated NROL-149 mission is scheduled to lift off aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The target liftoff time is 5:19 a.m. PST (8:19 a.m. EST, 1319 UTC).
Live Coverage Available
Spaceflight Now will provide live coverage of the mission, starting approximately 30 minutes before liftoff, offering real-time updates and insights.
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Falcon 9 Booster B1063: A Veteran of the Skies
The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, designated B1063, is a proven workhorse with an impressive 21 successful flights under its belt. Notable missions include NROL-113, NROL-167, DART, and 14 Starlink deployments.
After propelling the payload toward orbit, B1063 is expected to execute a precise landing on the SpaceX droneship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ (OCISLY). This marks the booster’s 22nd mission and could become the 114th successful landing on OCISLY. If successful, it will contribute to SpaceX’s tally of 384 booster landings, a testament to the company’s reusable rocket technology.

Payload: Undisclosed Satellites
The exact number and purpose of the satellites aboard the Falcon 9 remain classified. However, industry insiders speculate that the payload may include Starshield satellites, a government-focused variant of SpaceX’s Starlink technology, designed for secure communications and reconnaissance.
Mission Highlights
- Mission Name: NROL-149
- Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9
- Launch Site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base
- Target Time: 5:19 a.m. PST (8:19 a.m. EST)
- Booster: B1063 (22nd flight)
This launch underscores SpaceX’s commitment to advancing national security and space innovation, solidifying its role as a key partner for the National Reconnaissance Office.
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