Posted: Sun, Feb 6, 2022, 12:08 PM ET (1708 GMT)
SpaceX launched a classified NRO payload Wednesday. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at 3:28 pm EST (2028 GMT) on a mission designated NROL-87. The rocket's first stage, on its first flight, landed back at the launch site eight minutes later. The NRO said later that the launch was a success but did not disclose details about the payload. NROL-87 was the NRO's first mission launched by a Falcon 9 procured under the National Security Space Launch program run by the U.S. Space Force. The NRO purchased two earlier Falcon 9 launches using commercial contracts.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  Space.com article
•  AP article
•  AmericaSpace article
•  NRO press release