Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Marking a significant achievement in national security space operations, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has announced it surpassed 200 satellites deployed into Earth’s orbit in just over two years, following the classified space mission launched on April 20.
The NROL-145 mission successfully ascended to space on Sunday at 8:29 a.m. Eastern, carried by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket originating from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This launch represented SpaceX’s tenth deployment of satellites for the NRO’s proliferated architecture, a network incorporating Starshield imaging satellites manufactured by both SpaceX and Northrop Grumman.
The concept of a proliferated architecture involves employing a strategy of utilizing many smaller satellites instead of a limited number of larger ones. This approach constructs networks designed to be more robust against possible hazards and to deliver more extensive surveillance capabilities.
The National Reconnaissance Office is responsible for the design and operation of classified surveillance and intelligence satellites for the U.S. government. Currently, the agency is in the process of deploying a vast network of satellites engineered for near real-time tracking of terrestrial targets.
New Phase of National Security Space Launch Contracts Underway
Sunday’s launch marked the inaugural mission executed under the U.S. Space Force’s National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 program. The mission task order for NROL-145 was among nine awarded to SpaceX in October of 2024.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
“This inaugural Phase 3 launch occurs just months after the establishment of this fresh contract,” stated Col. Jim Horne, launch execution senior materiel leader at the Space Systems Command, in an official announcement.
Horne further mentioned that 44 missions from the preceding NSSL Phase 2 contract are still pending launch. The majority of these prior missions were contracted to United Launch Alliance (ULA). ULA’s novel Vulcan rocket is anticipated to undertake its initial NSSL mission later this summer.
Diverse Launch Procurement Strategies Employed by NRO
According to a press release from the NRO, the NSSL represents only one of several procurement strategies utilized by the agency for satellite deployment. Illustratively, the NRO has previously launched satellites in collaboration with SpaceX and Rocket Lab under commercial agreements. More recently, the agency employed Northrop Grumman’s solid-fueled Minotaur IV rocket for a mission under a distinct contract mechanism administered by the Space Force for smaller launch vehicles.
“Over the preceding two years, the NRO has successfully launched in excess of 200 satellites, establishing the largest and most advanced governmental satellite constellation currently in orbit in the nation’s history,” the agency stated. Looking forward, “2025 is projected to be another active year, with roughly a dozen NRO launches on the schedule. Approximately half of these launches will be dedicated to further developing the NRO’s proliferated architecture, with additional proliferated launches planned through 2029.”