WASHINGTON — A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Oct. 24 launched the NROL-167 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office.

The rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 1:13 p.m. Eastern.

NROL-167 was the fourth batch of satellites of a new imaging satellite constellation built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman. The number of satellites on this mission was not disclosed. 

The NRO is working to rapidly deploy a new network of satellites designed to track ground targets in near real time.

Following stage separation, the Falcon 9’s first stage landed on a drone ship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

The NRO designs and operates classified U.S. government surveillance and intelligence satellites. SpaceX launched the first three batches of the agency’s proliferated constellation in low Earth orbit in May, June and September. 

The completion of four launches over just five months highlights the rapid pace of deployment for this program that the NRO describes as the U.S. government’s largest satellite constellation in history. 

Additional launches supporting NRO’s proliferated architecture are expected through 2028.

Sandra Erwin writes about military space programs, policy, technology and the industry that supports this sector. She has covered the military, the Pentagon, Congress and the defense industry for nearly two decades as editor of NDIA’s National Defense...