SpaceX has hit another milestone today with the launch of its first big national security payload for the National Reconnaissance Office.
This was the company’s second attempt to launch the NROL-76. The first launch was attempted last Sunday, but was postponed due to sensor issues just a few seconds before it was set to liftoff. And, while the second attempt was successful, it was also very nearly canceled due to high altitude wind velocity.
Given the payload’s classified nature, SpaceX couldn’t readily disclose what it was taking to orbit. However, they were still able to provide an exclusive webcast of the rocket lifting off from the LC-39A facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida—which included a never-before-seen clip of the Falcon 9 first stage, which serves as the core of the rocket, containing its main engine.
Following the launch, SpaceX was actually able to recover the Falcon 9's first stage. This makes for a total of four completed recoveries for the company, which proves that reusing rockets in the interest of making launches and space travel more affordable is indeed feasible. The success of this particular launch could also be a sign of things to come as private aerospace outfits begin to enter the secretive world of military and national security launches.
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