On January 9, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the National Reconnaissance Office’s (NRO) NROL-153 mission. This launch represents a significant step in the agency's rapid expansion of its proliferated low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation.
The launch occurred at 10:53 p.m. Eastern from Space Launch Complex-4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The rocket carried classified payloads designed to enhance U.S. intelligence and surveillance capabilities. This mission is the seventh under the NRO’s proliferated architecture strategy and the first NRO launch of 2025.
“Building on the success of the NROL-149 launch on Dec. 17, today’s mission demonstrates the ongoing launch cadence that is strengthening the NRO’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities,” the agency stated in a January 9 press release.
The NROL-153 mission contributes to a growing network of smaller, distributed satellites. This network is intended to improve the resilience and responsiveness of U.S. space-based intelligence systems. The NRO, responsible for the country’s spy satellites, has deployed nearly 100 satellites in the past year.
The NRO plans approximately a dozen launches in 2025. Half of these launches will focus on its proliferated architecture – a strategy shifting from large, expensive satellites to smaller, more numerous spacecraft. This approach aims for better coverage, faster data delivery, and increased resistance to threats like anti-satellite weapons.
SpaceX and Northrop Grumman build the satellites used in the NRO’s proliferated architecture. While payload details remain classified, the satellites possess advanced remote-sensing capabilities. These capabilities provide real-time data on enemy movements and other crucial intelligence for U.S. military operations.