22 September 2025 year Fr. 17:38 (UTC) from the vandenberg airbase, California, USA using a launch vehicle «Falcon 9 Block 5» the mission was launched «NROL-48».
Useful load on board rocket launcher «Falcon 9 Block 5» ймовірно партія супутників «Starshield». This is government, Improved version of Starlink Satellites SpaceX with improved encryption and a number of other security features, which will be used in three main areas: Optical intelligence, Military communication, Testing and removing the payload. The number of CA «Starshield» The mission has not been announced and is not known at this time. The probable amount can be up to 22 KA.
Pentagon plans to use ka «Starshield» from SpaceX for a future military communication network.
US Department of Defense plans to add over 100 Starshield satellites from SpaceX to their future satellite grouping.
Today, military satellite communications are rapidly shifting to the use of large groups of small satellites in low Earth orbit.
Currently, US military agency is one of the largest users of Starlink's commercial services from SpaceX, But the military wants to see the deployment of their own satellite group from 100 Starshield satellites, that can be created to 2029 year.
In addition to increased cybersecurity, An important advantage of the Starshield system will be its branching, based on a large number of relatively small satellites, capable of providing a global coating. Such a structure will provide much greater resistance to refusals compared to the traditional rate on several large geostational satellites, which, In case of emergency, can be disabled by the enemy.
Will belong to this grouping by the US government and, in accordance, Only those agencies will be able to use his services, How will he give access.
This launch will expand the CA grouping «Starshield» and will provide a more stable connection for NRO. На даний момент угрупування складається щонайменше з 183 KA.
According to the CCS