Mon, Jan 19, 2009
Spy Satellite Rides Into Orbit Atop High-Lift Booster
United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying a
payload for the National Reconnaissance Office successfully lifted
off from Space Launch Complex 37 at CCAFS at 9:47 pm EST Saturday,
transporting a US Air Force reconnaissance satellite into
orbit.
This was the first Delta IV Heavy mission for the NRO.
Designated NROL-26, it was also the third Delta IV Heavy launch in
Delta program history. A Delta IV Heavy demonstration flight
occurred in December 2004, and the first Air Force operational
mission was launched in November 2007.
"This first Delta IV Heavy launch for the NRO is the culmination
of years of hard work and dedication by the combined NRO, Air
Force, supplier and ULA team," said Jim Sponnick, ULA Vice
President, Delta Product Line. "We appreciate the support from our
mission partners in achieving this milestone. ULA is pleased to
contribute to our nation's security, and to continue our strong
partnership with the NRO. We look forward to launching many more
NRO missions on ULA's Delta IV Medium, Delta IV Heavy and Atlas V
vehicles."
The ULA Delta IV Heavy vehicle featured a center common booster
core with two strap-on common booster cores. Each common booster
core was powered by the RS-68 cryogenic engine. An RL10B-2
cryogenic engine powered the second stage. Both engines are built
by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. The payload was encased by a
16.7-foot diameter aluminum, tri-sector payload fairing. ULA
constructed the Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle in Decatur, AL.
This was the first launch for ULA in 2009. ULA's next launch is
NASA's NOAA-N Prime mission currently scheduled for February 4,
aboard a Delta II from Space Launch Complex-2 at Vandenberg Air
Force Base, CA.
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