SpaceX successfully conducted its first national security mission of 2026 on the night of January 16, launching a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission, designated NROL-105, aims to further develop the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office’s (NRO) advanced reconnaissance capabilities.
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 11:39 p.m. EST, marking a significant step in the NRO’s initiative to expand its “proliferated architecture” – a network of small, flexible satellites designed for rapid deployment and enhanced resilience. NRO Director Chris Scolese emphasized the importance of these satellites, stating they will allow for greater revisit rates, augmented coverage, and quicker information delivery, ultimately better serving the needs of their clients.
The satellites utilized in this mission, built by SpaceX in collaboration with Northrop Grumman, signify a continued evolution in national security space operations. This launch represents the 12th event focused on the NRO’s satellite constellation, which began with the NROL-146 mission in May 2024.
After a successful launch, the Falcon 9’s first stage made a safe return to Earth, landing approximately 7.5 minutes after liftoff, marking its second recovery for this specific booster. The exact details regarding the number of satellites deployed during the NROL-105 mission remain undisclosed, as the NRO has chosen to keep that information confidential.
This launch comes as part of an ongoing effort by SpaceX, which has performed a total of seven missions in 2026, with four dedicated to expanding the company’s Starlink broadband constellation. The continued blend of innovative technology and strategic reconnaissance capabilities highlights a progressive approach to meeting national security demands in a rapidly changing world.