Delta 4 Heavy launches NRO satellite
Posted: Sat, Jun 30, 2012, 9:51 AM ET (1351 GMT)
A Delta 4 Heavy lifted off Friday morning carrying a classified satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The Delta 4 Heavy lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 9:15 am EDT (1315 GMT) on mission NROL-15 for the NRO. The launch was delayed by just over three hours because of a series of technical problems with the rocket that halted the countdown with under four minutes before launch. The purpose of the NRO mission has not been revealed, but it some observers speculate that it is a next-generation signals intelligence or "stealth" reconnaissance satellite. The launch was the first Delta 4 Heavy, the most powerful current US launch vehicle, using upgraded RS-68A main engines, which generate about five percent more thrust than the RS-68 engine.
A Delta 4 Heavy lifted off Friday morning carrying a classified satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The Delta 4 Heavy lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 9:15 am EDT (1315 GMT) on mission NROL-15 for the NRO. The launch was delayed by just over three hours because of a series of technical problems with the rocket that halted the countdown with under four minutes before launch. The purpose of the NRO mission has not been revealed, but it some observers speculate that it is a next-generation signals intelligence or "stealth" reconnaissance satellite. The launch was the first Delta 4 Heavy, the most powerful current US launch vehicle, using upgraded RS-68A main engines, which generate about five percent more thrust than the RS-68 engine.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Report outlines cost growth in canceled NASA exploration programs
Posted: Sat, Jun 27 11:14 AM ET (1514 GMT) Perseverance Mars rover finds more potential biosignatures
Posted: Sat, Jun 27 11:12 AM ET (1512 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, July 1
Firefly Aerospace Operates NVIDIA Jetson in Lunar Orbit for the First Time
Nvidia — 5:51 am ET (0951 GMT) Firefly, SSC Space Work On Swedish Pad For Revised Launch Schedule
Aviation Week — 5:50 am ET (0950 GMT) Thousands of planets are hidden in this photo
ESA — 5:50 am ET (0950 GMT) Firefly Aerospace and SSC Space Meet Next Critical Milestone for Orbital Launch from Esrange Space Center
Firefly Aerospace — 5:49 am ET (0949 GMT) NZ and US sign 'statement of intent' over military space operations
Radio New Zealand — 5:47 am ET (0947 GMT) |
