UPDATE (12:38 p.m.) - SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base early Wednesday afternoon and landed the rocket's first stage booster back on land just a few minutes later.
Liftoff! pic.twitter.com/pvsB7IqKSj
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 2, 2022
This was the first flight and landing for this particular booster. SpaceX plans to reuse it for a future NRO mission later this year.
Falcon 9’s first stage has landed pic.twitter.com/E22NvEiKe0
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 2, 2022
Wednesday's launch was the first-ever National Security Space Launch via a Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
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UPDATE (11:44 a.m.) - Launch time has been rescheduled to 12:27 p.m.
WATCH LIVE:
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(10:56 a.m.) - SpaceX is scheduled to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Wednesday.
The rocket is set to lift off at 12:18 p.m. and will carry a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
If the launch is scrubbed for any reason, there is a backup launch opportunity on Thursday, Feb. 3 at 12:18 p.m.
Falcon 9 vertical on the pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base ahead of launch of NROL-87 → https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK pic.twitter.com/j544k8PTeH
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) February 2, 2022
Following stage separation, SpaceX will aim to land the rocket's first stage booster on Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, so it can be used again.
A live webcast of the launch will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff.
