A new spy satellite launched into orbit on a secret mission for the
U.S. military Friday (June 29), roaring spaceward atop the world's most
powerful rocket in use today.
The NROL-15 reconnaissance satellite blasted off from a launch pad at
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 9:15 a.m. EDT (1315 GMT)
to begin its classified mission for the National Reconnaissance Office.
It rode a towering Delta 4-Heavy booster
equipped with new RS-68A first stage engines — the most powerful liquid
hydrogen rocket engines ever built, according to their manufactures.
The Ginsu...
The successful launch marked the second space mission in nine days by ULA to orbit a classified payload for the U.S. military. The next ULA launch will be an Atlas 5 rocket slated to loft another NRO spy satellite into orbit in August. (more)
