SpaceX 450th Falcon 9 Rocket Launch Sets A New Record

On 20 March 2025, SpaceX conducted the 450th launch of its Falcon 9 rocket from the Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base. This launch set a new record for the fastest booster turnaround time, as the booster was previously used nine days before this launch.

Falcon 9 Rocket Booster Breaks Record On Government Business

The launch on 20 March 2025 was part of the National Reconnaissance Office’s launch program. This program took US spy satellites to space and was believed to have taken the Starshield satellite to space on this particular NROL-57 launch mission.

The number of Starshield satellites aboard the Falcon 9 rocket on the NROL-57 mission is unspecified. What we do know is that SpaceX used its first-stage reusable booster with tail number B108 for this launch.

The launch on 20 March 2025 was the second this year supporting the National Reconnaissance Office launch program. It was also the fourth launch using the booster with tail number B1088.

Nine days before this launch, on 12 March 2025, this booster was in use on the NASA SPHEREx and PUNCH launch missions. This places the B1088 booster ahead of the B1080 booster, which held the record for the fastest turnaround time, at just 13.5 days.

Remarkably, SpaceX was able to break its fastest booster turnaround time record on its 450th launch. We look forward to more achievements for the space firm as it prepares for more launches in 2025.

SpaceX Continues Support For The National Reconnaissance Office

Over the past two years, the National Reconnaissance Office has launched more than 150 satellites into space.

For 2025 the NRO is planning about 12 launches. Part of them will be the NROL-192, NROL-48, and NROL-145 of the proliferation architecture constellation. More details on these launches will be available as we approach their launch dates.