Live: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from California with satellites for U.S. spy satellite agency [43:04]

YouTube ^ | June 19, 2026 | Spaceflight Now

[SunkenCiv]

SpaceX launches a Falcon 9 rocket from California on a mission for America's spy satellite agency, the National Reconnaissance Office. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base is scheduled for Friday, June 19, at 1:50:45 a.m. PDT (4:50:45 a.m. EDT / 0850:45 UTC). 

The first-stage booster, The Falcon 9 first stage booster, tail number B1103, launching for a third time, will return for a landing at Landing Zone 4 less than eight minutes after liftoff. 

The NROL-179 mission will take a south-easterly trajectory upon departure from Vandenberg. This will be the 14th mission supporting the NRO's proliferated architecture, a constellation believed to consist of Starshield satellites. 

Live: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from California 
with satellites for U.S. spy satellite agency | 43:04 
Spaceflight Now | 476K subscribers | 8,188 views | June 19, 2026

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TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: california; falcon9; nro; nrol179; spacex; vandenberg

[SunkenCiv]

Commentary from Spaceflight Now's Will Robinson-Smith.

[SunkenCiv]

🚀

[SunkenCiv]

Mission stats @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFLI1BTVfkM&t=2248

[citizen]

Blue Origin’s New Glenn blowup was a hugh & series setback for Artemis.

Bezos needs to sell another $1Billion of Amazon stock. *And* have BO perform rigorous testing as does SpaceX.

Amazon is a contract customer for Blue Origin (Project Kuiper) but from what I read they do not provide direct financial support to Blue Origin.

[citizen]

Add me to your rocket list, please.

[SunkenCiv]

I don’t have one, but will jot this down!

[SunkenCiv]

https://freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/4383850/posts