Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Delta IV Rocket Finally Launches, After Extended Delays

A Delta IV Heavy rocket--the largest rocket ever to launch on the West Coast of the United States--finally lifted off successfully on Saturday, carrying a top-secret payload into orbit for the National Reconaissance Office (NRO). The launch, by the United Launch Alliance , had been delayed multiple times, and had originally been scheduled for December 7th. ULA saw more than a half dozen aborts due to both technical issues and weather. The mission was carrying a spy satellite for the National Reconnasissance Office, the NROL-71 satellite. The rocket launch was faintly visible in Ventura County, but due to the daytime launch was not easily seen.