Atlas launches NRO satellite
Posted: Fri, Dec 6, 2013, 7:33 AM ET (1233 GMT)
An Atlas 5 rocket launched a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) late Thursday night. The Atlas 5 501 lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 11:14 pm PST Thursday (2:14 am EST, 0714 GMT Friday) on a mission designated NROL-39. Neither United Launch Alliance (ULA) or NRO released any details about the mission, but ULA did declare the launch a success a few hours after liftoff. Observers speculated, based on the launch vehicle and trajectory, that the payload is the latest in a series of Future Imagery Architecture radar imaging satellites. The Atlas also carried a dozen CubeSat secondary payloads developed by government agencies and universities.
An Atlas 5 rocket launched a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) late Thursday night. The Atlas 5 501 lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 11:14 pm PST Thursday (2:14 am EST, 0714 GMT Friday) on a mission designated NROL-39. Neither United Launch Alliance (ULA) or NRO released any details about the mission, but ULA did declare the launch a success a few hours after liftoff. Observers speculated, based on the launch vehicle and trajectory, that the payload is the latest in a series of Future Imagery Architecture radar imaging satellites. The Atlas also carried a dozen CubeSat secondary payloads developed by government agencies and universities.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Apex becomes billion-dollar company with $200 million Series D round
Posted: Sun, Sep 14 4:09 AM ET (0809 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, September 15
Scientists spot potential new class of black hole stars
Cosmos Magazine — 1:02 am ET (0502 GMT) Sunday, September 14
SpaceX launches Cygnus XL to ISS on CRS NG-23 mission
NasaSpaceFlight.com — 12:58 am ET (0458 GMT) Northrop Grumman’s 1st Cygnus XL spacecraft launches on cargo run to the space station
Spaceflight Now — 12:55 am ET (0455 GMT) SpaceX launches Northrop Grumman cargo ship to International Space Station
CBS — 12:55 am ET (0455 GMT) Vast backs new NASA commercial space station strategy
Space News — 12:53 am ET (0453 GMT) |
