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Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope blog is NASA's hub for the mission's launch updates, where all are invited for behind-the-scenes looks on Roman's road to launch and beyond. This flagship mission’s vast, deep surveys will help astronomers explore dark matter, dark energy, exoplanets, and almost anything from our own solar system to galaxies at the edge of the observable universe. Follow along to join in on the excitement!

NASA’s Roman Space Telescope Launches

A rocket soars in front of the Sun during liftoff of NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026.
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket with NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Telescope on board is seen transiting the sun during launch from Launch Complex 39A, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
NASA/John Kraus

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope lifted off at 7:26 a.m. EDT aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Falcon Heavy’s 27 Merlin engines are now generating more than 5 million pounds of thrust, pushing the rocket rapidly through the atmosphere and away from Florida’s spaceport. The first stage consists of a center core and two side boosters, while the second stage, mounted atop the center core, carries the Roman observatory.

Roman’s wide field of view and rapid survey capabilities will help scientists map billions of galaxies, uncover planets beyond our solar system, study black holes, and provide vast volumes of daily data for astronomers to analyze. The observatory will sample such a large volume of the cosmos that the five-year mission will offer practically limitless opportunities for astronomers to conduct a broad range of additional science.

Up next, the Falcon Heavy will reach Max Q, the moment of peak mechanical stress on rocket. Shortly afterward, the side boosters will separate, followed by booster engine cutoff around two minutes later.

Watch live at https://www.nasa.gov/live