Falcon Heavy

SpaceX is preparing two launches from Florida's Space Coast on the same day next week: a Falcon Heavy mission and a Crew-13 astronaut flight. Pulling off back-to-back launches within hours would be a demanding logistics test for the company's launch teams and range operations, and space watchers are following the schedule closely.

The airspace around SpaceX's launch site has been designated a no-fly zone ahead of the launch that will carry a Tesla Roadster into space. The restriction covers the area as the company prepares the Falcon Heavy rocket for its maiden flight. The unusual cargo — Elon Musk's personal sports car — has drawn wide attention to the mission, and the airspace closure signals the countdown is in its final stages.

SpaceX launched a Falcon Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-97 mission for the US National Reconnaissance Office from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The classified payload's purpose has not been disclosed, consistent with standard practice for national security launches. The mission highlights the growing role of commercial launch providers in delivering US government spy satellites into orbit.