Cape Canaveral, United States - December 16, 2024 SpaceX successfully launched its enigmatic Falcon 9 RRT-1 mission on Monday, December 16, following days of delays caused by poor offshore weather conditions. The rocket lifted off at 4:52 PM PST from Space Launch Complex 40, carrying what is widely speculated to be an advanced U.S. military GPS III satellite. Keily Chacon, an X user who captured the event, shared her view from Port Canaveral, exclaiming, “Elon Musk, you are my hero!!” Her video showcased the Falcon 9’s spectacular ascent into orbit. Approximately eight minutes after launch, the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster made a flawless landing on the A Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. This marks the fourth flight for this booster, which previously supported Crew-9 and two Starlink missions. Despite SpaceX remaining tight-lipped on the RRT-1 payload, experts believe the mission involves GPS 3-10, part of the military’s third-generation satellite navigation system. The GPS network operates in medium orbit, approximately 12,000 miles above Earth, providing enhanced precision and resilience for global positioning. Adding to the mystery, the payload fairing featured no logos or artwork, an unusual deviation from standard SpaceX launches. This secrecy has fueled speculation about the mission’s classified nature. SpaceX’s webcast of the event, which began minutes before liftoff, ended promptly after the booster’s landing, further underscoring the operation’s discreet nature. Favorable weather conditions—75% clear with light rain and 13mph winds—finally allowed the rocket’s departure after previous delays, capping off another successful mission for the aerospace giant.