Space Systems Command (SSC) has announced the assignment of 21 launch service missions for the FY24 National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement contract following completion of the NSSL Mission Assignment Board’s assignment process for FY24 launch service awards. This is the fifth, and last, order year in the Phase 2 contract.
These Order Year 5 (OY5) missions are scheduled to launch over the next two to three years and focus on a variety of mission areas.
The 10 missions assigned to Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) are: SDA T1TL-F, SDA T1TR-A, GPS IIIF-1, NROL-77, SDA T1TR-E, GPS III-10, USSF-75, SDA T2TL-A, SDA T2TL-C, and USSF-70.
NROL-77, NROL-73, NROL-56, NROL-109, and NROL-100 are missions being conducted in partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
And, for those curious, here's the rundown of the 21 mission assignments: https://cnbc.com/2023/11/01/space-force-awards-spacex-ula-with-2point5-billion-for-21-launches.html
Patch-ologists report: What could a flying (gliding) squirrel signify?A large reflective surface?14 stars and 1 Full Moon (reminds me of the old Procter and Gamble logo before the Amway Satanist claims)Quote: Another one g(?)one--today, tomorrow, and beyond ("cone" makes no sense)
The NRO, working through the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community, are committed to providing U.S. policymakers and warfighters the collection capabilities and tools necessary to meet national security demands today, tomorrow, and beyond.
The flying squirrel is a symbol of hard work and endurance – always active gathering foundational knowledge from the space domain for the nation and its allies.Every mission counts, every decision matters, and every advancement propels us further. “Another One Gone – Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond” embodies the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Could be a VLEO air breathing satellite (e.g. Sabersat/Otter) able to glide in the upper thermosphere.
December 9, 2025NROL-77 MissionWATCHSpaceX is targeting Tuesday, December 9 for a Falcon 9 launch of the NROL-77 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch window opens at 2:16 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Wednesday, December 10 starting at 2:02 p.m. ET.A live webcast of the NROL-77 mission will begin about 10 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app.This is the fourth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched KF-01, IMAP, and one Starlink mission. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on Landing Zone 2 (LZ-2) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.NROL-77 will be the third mission Falcon 9 will launch in 2025 on behalf of the Space Systems Command and National Reconnaissance Office, continuing to deliver assured access to space.
QuoteDecember 9, 2025NROL-77 Mission<snip>Following stage separation, the first stage will land on Landing Zone 2 (LZ-2) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
December 9, 2025NROL-77 Mission<snip>Following stage separation, the first stage will land on Landing Zone 2 (LZ-2) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Finally posted on Cadena https://www.cadenaois.org/vpublic_anspdetail.jsp?view=15
Hazard Area EvaluationThe National Airspace System (NAS) hazard area evaluation examined three Aircraft Hazard Areas (AHAs) and the Special Use Airspace (SUA) associated with this launch. The first, AHA A, extends from the launch site to 33nm northeastward. The second, AHA-B, extends from 188nm northeast of the launch site to 318nm northeast. These AHAs are within Miami, Jacksonville and New York ARTCCs. A third AHA safeguarding the Stage 2 reentry is located West of the Galapagos Island in the Mazatlan, NO FIR.and Tahiti FIRs
This mission is NRO’s 10th and final launch of 2025 and 4th this year in partnership with @USSF_SSC.
First StageFalcon 9’s first stage incorporates nine Merlin engines and aluminum-lithium alloy tanks containing liquid oxygen and rocketgrade kerosene (RP-1) propellant, generating more than 1.7 million pounds of thrust at sea level. After separation, the fist stage will return to Landing Zone 4.
Quote from: tottaway22 on 12/04/2025 01:07 pmFinally posted on Cadena https://www.cadenaois.org/vpublic_anspdetail.jsp?view=15QuoteHazard Area EvaluationThe National Airspace System (NAS) hazard area evaluation examined three Aircraft Hazard Areas (AHAs) and the Special Use Airspace (SUA) associated with this launch. <snip>
Hazard Area EvaluationThe National Airspace System (NAS) hazard area evaluation examined three Aircraft Hazard Areas (AHAs) and the Special Use Airspace (SUA) associated with this launch. <snip>
Falcon 9, December 9 @ 2:16 p.m. EST (pad 40 + LZ landing, northeast trajectory): This is expected to be the last landing at LZ-2 and the final time you can watch one from Jetty Park.
LAUNCH UPDATE: NROL-77 is scheduled to launch on a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station NET December 9. This mission is NRO’s 10th and final launch of 2025 and 4th this year in partnership with @USSF_SSC. 🤝
Re speculation on the patch, gliding squirrel, and "another one gone" and what the payload is...My first impression was that the 'tree' it is guiding itself to is a piece of space debris (or arguably hostile hardware), which it can then somehow grapple or scoop up and de-orbit, before returning itself to a parking orbit awaiting future space debris target. Bonus points if the space debris is something larger than itself e.g. an old rocket body.I'm agnostic about what sort of propulsion etc. would suit this. Mostly solar-electric but also significant storable chemical?Snowy ground and trees indicate a high inclination? The other patch straight up shows the inclination. Gathering acorns also fits with sequentially catching various pieces. Hmm."7" is a big theme here. Even the motto has 7 words. Just a reference to "NROL-77" or something deeper?
STRONG GEOMAGNETIC STORM PREDICTED: A coronal mass ejection (CME) is heading straight for Earth. NOAA forecasters say that strong G3-class geomagnetic storms are possible when it arrives on Dec. 9th. The full halo CME was launched on Dec. 6th by an M8-class solar flare from sunspot 4299. If it is as potent as NOAA thinks, it could spark auroras from the Arctic Circle to mid-latitude US states. CME impact alerts: SMS Text.
Marco Langbroek thinks it could be a NOSS SIGINT satellite, or satellite duo.https://sattrackcam.blogspot.com/2025/12/nrol-77-probably-new-noss-or-maybe-not.html
Navigational Warnings point to initial launch into a ~49 degree inclined coasting orbit. Upon passing the descending node of that parking orbit, about an hour after launch, the Falcon 9 upper stage with payload will manoeuver into a ~63.4 degree inclined orbit, likely ~1000 x 1200 km. The upper stage deorbits at the end of the first revolution, in the eastern Pacific.initially briefly comtemplated a higher, more unusual orbit, at 1950 km altitude, based on the ~14 minute daily shift backwards of the launch window (as gleaned from Navigational Warning NAVAREA IV 1337). That was an overinterpretation (I blame the COVID infection I suffered the past week, it messes with the brain): the NOSS-like 1000 x 1200 km orbit is more likely and it fits the location and shape of the upper stage deorbit area well.
