SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launches on September 5 NROL-113 For the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The rocket lifted off at 11:20 p.m. from Space Launch Complex East-4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

NROL-113 It was the third satellite in a new batch of imaging satellites being built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman. The number of satellites in this mission was not disclosed. The booster unit on the Falcon 9 first stage made its 20th flight. After separating, it landed on an unmanned craft resting in the Pacific Ocean.

The NRO develops and operates secret surveillance and intelligence satellites for the U.S. government. SpaceX launched the first two batches of the agency’s probes into low Earth orbit in May and June.

Blue circles emblem NROL-113 artistically depicts a large satellite constellation. The slogan “Strength in Numbers” describes NRO’s new strategy for large-scale terrestrial architecture: large numbers of small satellites designed for capability and endurance.

An additional launch supporting the common NRO architecture is expected by 2028. The completion of three launches in just four months “underscores the rapid pace of deployment of this program,” the NRO said.