THE NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE (NRO), IN PARTNERSHIP WITH U.S. SPACE FORCE SPACE SYSTEMS COMMAND/ROCKET SYSTEMS LAUNCH PROGRAM, SPACE LAUNCH DELTA 30, AND NORTHROP GRUMMAN, SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED THE NROL-174 MISSION ON April 16, 2025, FROM SPACE LAUNCH COMPLEX-8 AT VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE (VSFB), CALIFORNIA.
About the Mission Emblem
The shape of the patch is a shield, representing the NRO as a critical element to National Security. The border is blue with the embedded quote “I Viam Inveniam,” which is Latin for “I shall find a way,” representing the ethos of always persevering to deliver critical intelligence capabilities.The falcon, an apex predator, represents NRO’s enduring imperative to deliver superior technology and capabilities, giving analysts and warfighters the edge against our adversaries. The falcon is in flight, representing the necessity of agile acquisitions in todays contested and congested space environment. The mountains represent the commitment of the IC to be always on guard to protect American interests and freedom. The sunset on the mountains symbolizes that the NRO is steadfast in its mission at all times 24/7.
Launch Vehicle
Minotaur IV
Minotaur IV has four stages; the first three stages utilize government-furnished solid rocket motors from decommissioned Peacekeeper ICBMs. The commercial solid rocket upper stage is an Orion 38. Minotaur IV is capable of launching payloads up to 1,730 kg (3,814 lb.) to low Earth orbit; Minotaur IV made its maiden flight on 22 April 2010.
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Minotaur rockets have completed missions out of every major U.S. spaceport. Under the U.S. Air Force Orbital/ Suborbital Program-3 (OSP-3) contract, Northrop Grumman integrates, tests and provides space launch services for the Minotaur family of rockets. The OSP-3 contract is managed by the Rocket Systems Launch Program, which is part of U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC). OSP-3 expands on OSP-2 by continuing to use excess ICBM motors, and includes potential Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle new entrant launch vehicles.
Site Info
Nestled along California’s Central Coast, Vandenberg Space Force Base hosts Space Launch Delta 30, a United States Space Force command that provides agile, responsive, and resilient spaceport, test range, and installation capabilities for the nation. As the keystone of the Space Force’s West Coast Spaceport and Test Range, Vandenberg enables launch and test activities that ensure the Space Force and its mission partners, such as NRO, are able to accomplish their strategic objectives into space.
Space Launch Complex 8 (SLC-8)
SLC-8 has launched nine Minotaur rockets—six Minotaur I and three Minotaur IV—with the last in 2011 supporting NRO’s NROL-66 mission. NROL-174 follows previous Minotaur family of rocket launches supporting NRO missions with NROL-129 in July 2020 and NROL-111 in June 2021, both from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
Download the NROL-174 Press Kit Download the NROL-174 Press Release