The American space giant SpaceX successfully launched a spy satellite named “NROL-57” into space. The launch was broadcast live on the internet, and approximately 7.5 minutes later, the rocket carrying NROL-57 returned to the spaceport as planned.

According to a report on Space.com, the spy satellite, whose function is kept secret, was launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, at 23:49 local time via the Falcon 9 rocket owned by SpaceX.

ROCKET RETURNS 7.5 MINUTES LATER

While the launch was broadcast live on the internet, the first stage of the rocket carrying NROL-57 returned to the spaceport as planned approximately 7.5 minutes after launch. As the upper stage of the rocket continues to carry the satellite’s payloads into orbit, it has not been disclosed when or where these payloads will be deployed.

US DISCOVERY SATELLITES The purpose for which the satellite belonging to the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the intelligence agency responsible for designing, producing, launching, and operating discovery satellites in the US, will be used is unknown. The rocket used in the mission had previously launched NROL-126, Transporter-12, and SPHEREx telescope missions into space.