SpaceX launches classified payload for Defense Department in Florida

SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on March 24, 2025. The rocket carried a classified payload for the U.S. Department of Defense. Liftoff occurred at 1:48 p.m., and the first stage of the rocket landed safely about eight minutes later. The launch had a favorable weather forecast, with a 95% chance of good conditions, according to SpaceX officials. This mission marked the second flight for the first-stage booster, which had previously launched Starlink satellites on February 27. The Defense Department's National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has partnered with SpaceX to send a total of 150 satellites into space in the last two years. This has led to the creation of the largest and most capable government satellite network in U.S. history. The mission, designated NROL-69, is the first under a contract signed in August 2020. Col. Eric Zarybnisky, director of NRO's Office of Space Launch, stated that this launch is key to protecting national interests in space. He emphasized the importance of maintaining strong and cost-effective space capabilities to adapt to new threats and provide vital intelligence. This launch was also the 25th orbital rocket launch of the year from Florida's launch sites. SpaceX is on track to break last year's record of 93 launches. Coming up, they plan to launch Fram2 on March 31, which will be the first crewed mission to orbit above the Earth's polar regions. The crew has finished their training and the Dragon spacecraft has arrived at the hangar for the upcoming launch.