Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

---

Watch live coverage as 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 commentary from Spaceflight Now's Will Robinson-Smith will be provided starting about 30 minutes prior to launch.

Videos like this are made possible by the support of our members. Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCoLdERT4-TJ82PJOHSrsZLQ/join