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.

SpaceX plans to launch the seventh batch of "proliferated architecture" spy satellites for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office tonight (Jan. 10).

The launch marks the seventh deployment in the NRO’s new “proliferated architecture” strategy, which emphasizes smaller, distributed satellite networks

SpaceX on Friday launched 21 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit with a Falcon 9 rocket whose reusable first stage took part in a record 25th mission.

This Friday, launch spectators gathered at Port Canaveral’s Jetty Park to see SpaceX’s fourth launch of the year from Florida’s Space Coast.