The National Reconnaissance Office launched new spy satellites into lower Earth orbit late Thursday, adding to the growing constellation of such U.S.-based intelligence-gathering satellites around the world.

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 of the company’s Starlink satellites lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Saturday (Dec. 28). The mission launched at 8:48 p.m. EST (5:48 p.m. PST local time or 0148 GMT on Dec. 29) from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E).

The final Falcon 9 launch of Starlink low-orbiting satellites from California this year is scheduled for liftoff this weekend, according to SpaceX. The launch window for 22 internet communication system satellites is between 5:48 p.m. and 9:31 p.m. PST. on Saturday, Dec. 28, from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Coming off a record-setting 2024, SpaceX continued an aggressive launching schedule with the liftoff Wednesday morning of a Falcon 9 rocket that carried 21 Starlink satellites into lower-Earth orbit.

SpaceX crews are preparing for the 7th test launch of its Starship mega rocket. ▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS. The world’s biggest rocket could launch again from SpaceX’