Posted: Sun, May 26, 2024, 11:21 AM ET (1521 GMT)
SpaceX launched the first in a new line of NRO reconnaissance satellites this morning. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 4:00 am EDT (0800 GMT) on the NROL-146 mission. The rocket carried an undisclosed number of small reconnaissance satellites developed by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for the NRO, part of a new constellation. NRO officials previously said six launches are planned in 2024 for its proliferated architecture of small satellites but has not stated how large the constellation will be.

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