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SpaceX Successfully Launches Secret NROL-48 Mission

9/23/2025

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Summary

Story summary

SpaceX launched the NROL-48 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on Sept. 22.
The Falcon 9 lifted at 10:38 a.m. PT and the booster B1081 landed 7.5 minutes after liftoff.
Payload details remain undisclosed; satellites are believed to be part of the NRO's proliferated architecture.

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Story summary

SpaceX launched the NROL-48 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on Sept. 22.
The Falcon 9 lifted at 10:38 a.m. PT and the booster B1081 landed 7.5 minutes after liftoff.
Payload details remain undisclosed; satellites are believed to be part of the NRO's proliferated architecture.