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
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, September 13
SpaceX, Northrop Grumman to launch supplies to ISS
Spectrum News — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) Cornell-led space tech startup acquired by Pasteur Labs
Cornell Univ. — 5:51 am ET (0951 GMT) How China Is Transforming Space Power
The Diplomat — 5:46 am ET (0946 GMT) Two billionaires have very different — and equally wild — visions of a future in space. Is either possible?
CNN — 5:43 am ET (0943 GMT) Rare photos show 'deeply personal' moments in space
BBC — 5:36 am ET (0936 GMT) |
