# NRO Launches NROL-97 on Falcon Heavy

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command launched the NROL-97 national security mission on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy on October 1, 2026, marking the NRO’s first use of that launch vehicle. The mission establishes an operational precedent for using Falcon Heavy to carry an NRO payload. The available reporting identifies no contract value, solicitation, or future procurement timeline.

- For launch providers and subcontractors, the flight is a concrete example of Falcon Heavy being used for an NRO national security mission; it does not, by itself, indicate a new award or open competition.
- Procurement teams can distinguish this operational milestone from a contract announcement: the signal provides no acquisition details or actionable solicitation deadline.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** October 02, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
- U.S. Space Force (USSF)
- Space Systems Command (SSC)

### Vendors
- SpaceX (launch vehicle provider)

### Sources
- [NROL-97 Mission Features First Agency Use of Falcon Heavy Rocket - Defense Daily](https://www.defensedaily.com/nrol-97-mission-features-first-agency-use-of-falcon-heavy-rocket/space) - defensedaily.com