Falcon 9 Block 5 | NAOS
Falcon 9 Block 5 launched the NAOS mission for SpaceX from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on Aug 26, 2025 (UTC).
Launch pad
Space Launch Complex 4E · Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Falcon 9 Block 5 | NAOS
Launched Aug 27, 2025 3:53:41 AMSuccess
8 objects in orbit now
Flight direction
189° S
measured from the launched orbit · inclination 97.7°
Flight path
First-stage drop zone (rough estimate)
Drawn 400–700 km downrange along the flight direction. Official hazard areas are published as NOTAMs and navigational warnings.
About the mission
NAOS (National Advanced Optical System) is the space component of Luxembourg's governmental dual-use observation satellite system LUXEOSys (Luxembourg Earth Observation System). Its purpose is to provide high resolution images to national and international governmental and military organizations such as NATO. The 800 kg satellite is built by OHB Italia and is equipped with a very high-resolution optical camera with a ground reolution of 50 cm in an around 450 km high sun-synchronous orbit. It will have a operational life time of 7 years. Also on board the launch is Dhruva Space's LEAP-1; Planet's Pelican-3 and Pelican-4; and Exolaunch’s Acadia-6, FFLY-1, FFLY-2, and FFLY-3.
Mission description from Launch Library 2.
Objects from this launch still in orbit
- Launch time (your time zone)
- Wed, Aug 27 · 3:53:41 AM
- Status
- Success
- Launch provider
- SpaceX
- Rocket
- Falcon 9 Block 5
- Mission type
- Government/Top Secret
- Target orbit
- SSO
- Launch pad
- Space Launch Complex 4E · Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA