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NROL-97 Mission Features First Agency Use of Falcon Heavy Rocket
The National Reconnaissance Office's NROL-97 mission has used the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket for the first time in an NRO launch, marking a significant milestone in the agency's use of commercial heavy-lift launch vehicles. The Falcon Heavy's performance capability enables delivery of heavier intelligence satellite payloads to higher orbits than medium-lift alternatives, expanding NRO mission flexibility. The first agency use of the Falcon Heavy reflects the NRO's continued integration of commercial launch services to meet its growing constellation requirements.