Posted: Sat, Sep 8, 2001, 4:13 PM ET (2013 GMT)
An Atlas 2 booster successfully launched early Saturday a classified spacecraft believed to be an advanced eavesdropping spacecraft. The Atlas 2AS lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California at 11:25 am EDT (1525 GMT); Air Force officials later reported that the booster's payload successfully separated but provided no additional details about the launch. The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) confirmed that the booster's payload will be used by them, but did not specify what kind of spacecraft that was launched. Outside observers believe that the spacecraft is the first in a new generation of electronic surveillance satellites that will eventually replace the Naval Ocean Surveillance System (NOSS) spacecraft currently in use.

Related Links:

•  SPACE.com article about launch
•  Spaceflight Now mission status center