NROL-174: Minotaur IV Rocket Launch From Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB)

This mission, the first Minotaur launch from VSFB since 2011, deployed multiple national security payloads.

NRO - The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), in collaboration with the U.S. Space Force, successfully launched the NROL-174 mission on April 16, 2025, at 3:33 p.m. EDT (19:33 UTC) from Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) using a Minotaur IV rocket.

Minotaur IV Rocket (illustrative, not from this launch)

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This mission, the first Minotaur launch from VSFB since 2011, deployed multiple national security payloads, marking a significant milestone under the Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP). Partnering with Space Launch Delta 30 and Northrop Grumman, the NRO showcased its commitment to enhancing space-based intelligence.

Key Developments

• 2025-04-16, 19:33 UTC: The NROL-174 mission launched from Space Launch Complex 8 (SLC-8) at VSFB, deploying multiple national security payloads as reported by the NRO.

• 2025-04-16, Post-Launch: The U.S. Space Force SSC confirmed successful payload deployment, with Space Launch Delta 30 overseeing operations.

Historical Context, Analysis, Insights: