Falcon 9 has launched into orbit a group of research satellites of the National Space Reconnaissance Office (NRO) of the USA, reports the SpaceX company.
The rocket lifted off from the SLC-4E launch pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 5:19 a.m. Pacific Time, and the satellites entered orbit about an hour later.
Within the framework of the NROL-149 mission, the sixth batch of optical-electronic reconnaissance mini-satellites was launched into orbit this year. Detailed information about the significance of the minisatellites and their number is highly classified.
NRO officials have previously said they aim to quadruple the number of spacecraft in orbit, which they believe, combined with new satellite technology, will provide a tenfold increase in intelligence collection. Smaller and more numerous satellites will allow much more frequent monitoring of critical areas, resulting in faster intelligence.
The satellites were built under a $1.8 billion NRO contract signed in 2021 with SpaceX and Northrop Grumman.
