# Falcon Heavy Flies First NRO Mission

> SpaceX launches first U.S. spy satellite mission using Falcon Heavy.
- Title: Falcon Heavy Flies First NRO Mission · Spaceflightnow
- Summary: SpaceX launches first U.S. spy satellite mission using Falcon Heavy. SpaceX successfully launched the first National Reconnaissance Office payload on Falcon…
- Keywords: nro, falcon heavy, space x, nrl-97, national reconnaissance office, spy satellite, science, Falcon, Heavy, Flies, First, Mission
- Source: Spaceflightnow — https://spaceflightnow.com/2026/10/01/falcon-heavy-to-fly-its-first-mission-for-u-s-spy-satellite-agency
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nro, falcon heavy, space x, nrl-97, national reconnaissance office, spy satellite, science
## First NRO Payload
SpaceX launched the National Reconnaissance Office's NROL-97 mission on Oct. 1, 2026.
## First Falcon Heavy Flight
This was the first NRO payload to fly on a Falcon Heavy rocket.
## Launch Details
The rocket blasted off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 11:54 p.m. EDT (0354 UTC).
## Falcon Heavy Composition
The heavy-lift rocket consists of three Falcon 9 boosters and an upper stage, topped by a payload fairing.
## First NRO Mission
This was the first NRO mission procured through the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 2 contract in 2025.
## Booster Status
The Falcon Heavy core stage (serial number B1106) was brand new and expended on this mission.
## Key takeaway

SpaceX successfully launched the first National Reconnaissance Office payload on Falcon Heavy for U.S. spy satellites.