SpaceX launches NROL-153, expanding U.S. spy satellite constellation
WASHINGTON — A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the National Reconnaissance Office’s (NRO) NROL-153 mission on Jan. 9, marking the latest step in the agency’s rapid expansion of its proliferated low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation.
The rocket lifted off at 10:53 p.m. Eastern from Space Launch Complex-4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, carrying classified payloads designed to bolster U.S. intelligence and surveillance capabilities. The mission is the seventh under the NRO’s proliferated architecture strategy and the first NRO launch of 2025.
“Building on the success of the NROL-149 launch on Dec. 17, today’s mission demonstrates the ongoing launch cadence that is strengthening the NRO’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities,” the agency said Jan. 9 in a statement.
The NROL-153 mission adds to a growing network of smaller, distributed satellites aimed at enhancing the resilience and responsiveness of U.S. space-based intelligence systems. The NRO, which oversees the development and operation of the country’s spy satellites, has deployed nearly 100 satellites over the past year.
The agency plans about a dozen launches in 2025, half of which will focus on its proliferated architecture — a strategy that moves away from traditional large, expensive satellites in favor of smaller, more numerous spacecraft. This shift aims to provide greater coverage, faster data delivery, and increased resistance to threats such as anti-satellite weapons.
The NRO’s proliferated architecture relies on satellites built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman. While details of the payloads remain classified, the satellites are equipped with advanced remote-sensing capabilities to provide real-time data on enemy movements and other critical intelligence to support U.S. military operations.
