SpaceX plans to launch a classified mission for the National Reconnaissance Office this week, and it includes a middle-of-the-night booster landing with a sonic boom.
The NROL-95 mission is set to lift off no earlier than 3:09 a.m. Thursday, July 30 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
SpaceX states that if needed, a backup opportunity exists at 2:55 a.m. Friday, July 31.
The Falcon 9 rocket’s first-stage booster will return to land for this mission. Depending on conditions, the nighttime liftoff will allow for a stunning view of the landing at Landing Zone 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Be aware: a thunderous sonic boom could follow the landing.
While SpaceX has launched multiple other national security missions, the NROL-95 mission marks the third National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) payload delivered by a SpaceX rocket under a National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 contract awarded in August 2020. The last NRO launch SpaceX supported from Cape Canaveral was the December 2025 NROL-77 mission.
The FLORIDA TODAY Space Team will have live updates beginning 90 minutes before liftoff at FloridaToday.com/Space.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX launch from Florida early Thursday will bring nighttime sonic boom
Reporting by Brooke Edwards, Florida Today / Florida Today
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By Brooke Edwards, Florida Today | USA TODAY Network
