Blastoff! SpaceX launches next-gen US spy satellites from California

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the NROL-186 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on June 29, 2024 at 11:14 p.m. EDT (8:14 p.m. local California time; 0314 GMT on June 29). Full Story: https://www.space.com/spacex-nrol-186-spy-satellite-launch According to Space.com, the Falcon 9's first stage came back to Earth about 8 minutes after liftoff tonight as planned, landing on the SpaceX drone ship Of Course I Still Love You, which was stationed in the Pacific Ocean. Credit: SpaceX