SpaceX is preparing to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Monday, September 22, 2025. The mission, designated NROL-48, is scheduled to lift off at 10:23 a.m. local time and will carry a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office.
Key Takeaways
- Mission: NROL-48, a classified mission for the National Reconnaissance Office.
- Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
- Launch Site: Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
- Date and Time: Monday, September 22, 2025, at 10:23 a.m.
- Booster Landing: The first stage is scheduled to return for a landing at Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg.
- Public Advisory: Residents in the Central Coast region may hear a sonic boom following the launch.
Launch Schedule and Backup Opportunities
The primary launch window for the NROL-48 mission opens at 10:23 a.m. on Monday. SpaceX has a one-hour period to proceed with the launch. This window allows teams to monitor weather conditions and technical systems to ensure a safe and successful liftoff.
If the launch cannot occur on Monday for any reason, backup opportunities have been reserved. According to official statements, a secondary launch window is available until 10:10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 23. This provides flexibility in case of unfavorable weather or last-minute technical holds.
Mission Profile and Booster Recovery
The Falcon 9 rocket will carry the NROL-48 payload into orbit. While the specific details and purpose of the payload are classified, missions for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) typically involve deploying advanced intelligence and surveillance satellites for U.S. national security.
What is the National Reconnaissance Office?
The NRO is the U.S. government agency responsible for designing, building, launching, and maintaining America's intelligence satellites. These satellites provide crucial information to policymakers, the intelligence community, and the Department of Defense. The nature of their operations means that most mission details, including the satellite's specific capabilities and orbital path, are not disclosed to the public.
A key feature of this mission is the planned recovery of the Falcon 9's first stage booster. Following stage separation minutes after liftoff, the booster will perform a series of engine burns to reorient itself and navigate back toward the launch site.
The booster is scheduled to land at Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4), a dedicated facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base. This return-to-launch-site landing is a hallmark of SpaceX's reusable rocket technology, which significantly reduces the cost of access to space.
Falcon 9 Reusability
SpaceX's Falcon 9 is the world's first orbital-class reusable rocket. By landing and refurbishing its first stage boosters, the company can fly the same hardware on multiple missions. Some individual boosters in the Falcon 9 fleet have flown more than 20 times, demonstrating the reliability and economic benefits of this approach.
Public Viewing and Sonic Boom Advisory
Vandenberg Space Force Base is a primary site for launches into polar orbits, which are often used for Earth-observation and reconnaissance satellites. The trajectory of these launches often provides viewing opportunities for residents across California's Central Coast.
Officials have advised that the booster's return to Landing Zone 4 will likely generate a sonic boom. A sonic boom occurs when an object traveling through the air exceeds the speed of sound. The sound is often described as a deep, distant thunder-like noise and may be heard and felt across Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties.
The timing of the sonic boom typically occurs several minutes after the initial launch, as the booster descends back through the atmosphere. While it can be startling, it is a normal and expected part of return-to-launch-site landings.
How to Watch the Launch
For those who cannot view the launch in person, SpaceX will provide a live webcast. The broadcast is expected to begin approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled liftoff time.
- Official Website: The webcast will be available on the SpaceX official website.
- Social Media: A live feed will also be streamed on X (formerly Twitter), on the official SpaceX account.
The webcast typically provides live video from multiple camera angles, including views of the rocket on the launch pad, during ascent, and of the first stage landing attempt. The stream usually concludes shortly after the successful deployment of the payload or completion of the primary mission milestones.