spacetoday.net: Delta 2 launches NRO satellite

Delta 2 launches NRO satellite

Posted: Fri, Dec 15, 2006, 7:47 AM ET (1247 GMT)
Delta 2 launch file photo (Boeing)

A Delta 2 rocket launched a classified satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) on Thursday in the first launch carried out under the auspices of the United Launch Alliance (ULA). The Delta 2 7920-10 lifted off from Space Launch Complex 2W at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 4 pm EST (2100 GMT), deploying its payload into orbit about one hour later. No details about the NRO satellite, designated NROL-21, were provided. The launch was the first since the ULA officially started operations at the beginning of the month. The ULS combined the government launch operations of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, and includes the Delta 2 as well as the two companies' EELV rockets.