ScheduledSpaceX

Falcon 9 Block 5 | NROL-172

Thirteenth batch of satellites for a reconnaissance satellite constellation built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for the National Reconnaissance Office to provide imaging and other reconnaissance capabilities.

Launch Details

Date & Time

NET Tue, May 12, 2026 at 3:15 PM PT

Window: 3:15 PM – 7:15 PM PT

Vehicle

Falcon 9

Unknown F9

Mission

NROL-172

Launch Pad

SLC-4E

Vandenberg SFB, CA

Orbit

N/A

To Be Confirmed

Where to Watch

Launch Preview

Falcon 9 Set to Launch NROL-172 on May 12

Everything you need to know about the upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, targeting Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

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Viewing Guide

Where to Watch This Launch

8 spots across the 805 — line up with the beam to know where to face. Launching from SLC-4E.

Coral dashed line shows the approximate flight path for the first ~200 miles after liftoff. Derived from the target orbit (N/A) — actual trajectory may vary by a few degrees.