SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched a satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office on Monday morning from Kennedy Space Center’s historic 39A launchpad.
The classified payload for this morning’s NROL-76 launch is suspected to be a data relay satellite, according to Space News. Tracking and data relay satellites are orbital communications devices that typically are used in assisting spacecraft for other missions. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has called the payload a spy satellite which implies a function for defense-intelligence purposes. As usual, NRO spokeswomen declined to comment on the payload.
The National Reconnaissance Office is a clandestine agency that manages and operates United States' defense satellites in space. Since the 1960s, the agency has been overseeing satellites for the CIA, Air force and, NSA.
According to NRO director Betty Sapp in a 2015 congressional hearing, SpaceX was contracted for an undisclosed amount of NRO launches. Monday's launch was the first government-contracted mission for SpaceX.
Central Floridians living as far as Winter Park reportedly heard the rocket's sonic boom upon its return to Earth. After the NRO device was sent into orbit, the Falcon 9's first stage booster made its way back to Earth for a ground-landing on Patrick Air Force Base's Landing Zone 1 in Cape Canaveral.
Falcon 9 making a landing at Patrick AFB Landing Zone 1 after delivering a classified NRO payload into orbit. pic.twitter.com/ZQWDuJeQ4R
— Joey Roulette (@JRouRouRou) May 1, 2017
We welcome readers to submit letters regarding articles and content in Orlando Weekly. Letters should be a minimum of 150 words, refer to content that has appeared on Orlando Weekly, and must include the writer's full name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. No attachments will be considered. Writers of letters selected for publication will be notified via email. Letters may be edited and shortened for space.
Email us at feedback@orlandoweekly.com.
Orlando Weekly works for you, and your support is essential.
Our small but mighty local team works tirelessly to bring you high-quality, uncensored news and cultural coverage of Central Florida.
Unlike many newspapers, ours is free – and we'd like to keep it that way, because we believe, now more than ever, everyone deserves access to accurate, independent coverage of their community.
Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing pledge, your support helps keep Orlando’s true free press free.