In Photos: SpaceX's 1st Secret US Military Satellite Launch (& Landing)

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the classified NROL-76 spy satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office from Pad 39-A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on May 1, 2017.

A zoomed in shot of the Falcon 9’s first stage as it fires its Merlin engines.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket booster comes in for a pinpoint touchdown at Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida after successfully launching the classified NROL-76 satellite into orbit on May 1, 2017.

A view of the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster after its successful landing following the smooth launch of the classified NROL-76 satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office on May 1, 2017.

The U.S. National Reconnaissance Office’s classified NROL-76 spy satellite, shrouded in its protective payload fairing, is moved to the launch pad to be connected to its SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ahead of a May 1 launch from Pad 39-A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.