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A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket climbed into orbit Friday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California with a top secret spy satellite, adding a new set of eyes in the sky for the U.S. government’s intelligence community and nudging part of the Delta 4 family closer to retirement.

The 217-foot-tall (66-meter) Delta 4 rocket lifted off at 2:11 p.m. PST (5:11 p.m. EST; 2211 GMT) from Space Launch Complex 6 at Vandenberg on the power of an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-68A main engine and two Orbital ATK-built solid rocket boosters.

The RS-68A engine ignited with a burst of orange flame, spinning up its pumps to consume super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen for a four-minute firing.

Two side-mounted solid rocket boosters fired as the countdown clock ticked down to zero, combining with the RS-68A main engine to send the Delta 4 away from the historic SLC-6 launch pad atop 1.2 million pounds of thrust.

The Delta 4 arced to the southwest over the Pacific Ocean, surpassing the speed of sound in less than a minute and dropping its two spent solid rocket boosters after burnout around 90 seconds into the flight.

The rocket’s nose shroud, which cocooned the top secret National Reconnaissance Office payload in the early phase of launch, jettisoned from the Delta 4 moments after it passed the mission’s three-minute point.

ULA’s live webcast of the launch ended after the fairing’s jettison, and the rest of the flight occurred in a news blackout.

The Delta 4’s first stage was expected to end its burn around four minutes after liftoff, then the rocket’s second stage RL10 engine was programmed to complete the job of placing the clandestine payload in orbit.

ULA confirmed the flight’s successful outcome in a press release around two hours after liftoff.

“As the nation’s most trustworthy launch provider, today’s launch exemplifies ULA’s ongoing commitment to 100 percent mission success,” said Will Crawford, ULA’s NRO program manager. “My sincere thanks to the entire ULA team and our mission partners at the NRO and U.S. Air Force who made this, our 27th NRO launch, possible.”

The launch was delayed from December to allow engineers to complete checks of a new avionics package that flew for the firt time on a Delta 4. ULA’s “common avionics” system is designed to fly on both of the company’s workhorse rockets — the Atlas 5 and Delta 4 — to reduce manpower and costs for each mission.

The common avionics upgrade has flown several times on Atlas 5 rockets before its debut on Delta 4 on Friday.

“This is the first Delta 4 that we’ve launched out of Vandenberg with common avionics,” said Maj. Allen Varghese, the Air Force’s launch director for the NROL-47 mission and director of operations at the 4th Space Launch Squadron. “Common avionics is a major, multi-year effort to standardize avionics across the ULA fleet for Atlas and Delta. It streamlines hardware and launch day operations,

High winds at Vandenberg prevented launch Wednesday, and several technical problems halted a countdown Thursday.

“We are very happy to begin the new year with a successful launch,” said Col. Matthew Skeen, director of the NRO’s Office of Space Launch. “As with every launch, our success is rooted in teamwork, and we would not be able to do what we do without our government and industry team members.”

“We are grateful for their continued drive to get our critical assets on orbit and their commitment and dedication to our national security mission,” Skeen said.

“It’s a classified payload for the NRO,” Varghese said in a pre-launch interview. “We can’t go into the details of what the payload does, but it’s a national security priority, and it’s mission will ensure that the warfighters across the globe have the appropriate intel that they need to be able to support operations.”

Codenamed NROL-47, the satellite lofted Friday will likely join the NRO’s fleet of orbiting radar reconnaissance stations.

The Delta 4’s trajectory toward the southwest suggested it was bound for an unusual high-inclination retrograde orbit that would allow the rocket’s top secret payload to travel in the opposite direction of Earth’s rotation.

The NRO’s Topaz radar surveillance satellites gather all-weather, day-and-night imagery for analysis by U.S. intelligence agencies. Previous Delta 4s believed to carry NRO radar reconnaissance craft used the same “5,2” configuration of the rocket, with a 5-meter (16-foot) diameter payload fairing and two solid rocket boosters, and the rockets also arced to the southwest from Vandenberg during missions in 2012 and 2016.

Two other Topaz satellites are believed by analysts to have launched on Atlas 5 rockets in 2010 and 2013.

But hazard notices released to mariners and pilots suggested the Delta 4 launching Friday would take a slightly different path, raising questions whether the payload has a different design or function than the NRO’s other Topaz radar spy satellites, according to Marco Langbroek, a experienced amateur satellite tracker who lives in the Netherlands.

The other Topaz satellites went into 685-mile-high (1,100-kilometer) orbits tilted 123 degrees to Earth’s equator, while NROL-47’s track appeared to take it into a slightly higher, 108.6-degree inclination orbit.

But the the jury is out on NROL-47’s orbit, and a network of amateur satellite trackers will attempt to find the spacecraft based on pre-launch orbital predictions.

The Topaz satellites are built by Boeing and were originally developed for the NRO’s Future Imagery Architecture program. The radar spy satellites work in conjunction with the NRO’s optical surveillance craft, which carry telescopic cameras to look down on Earth.

Radars have the benefit of seeing the ground at night and through clouds, revealing structures hidden under the cloak of darkness or camouflaged from conventional cameras.

The Topaz satellites follow the NRO’s previous generation of radar satellites, known as the Lacrosse fleet. While the Lacrosse satellites orbited at two different inclinations moving in the same direction as Earth’s rotation, the Topaz craft fly in retrograde orbits.

The reason for the change in orbits remains a mystery.

“Considering that Lacrosse operated in two different orbital inclinations, it may be that FIA Radar is about to do likewise with the payload of NROL-47,” said Ted Molczan, an experienced satellite tracker who lives in Canada. “Another possibility is that the payload of NROL-47 is a new generation of radar, intended to operate at a lower inclination.

“If and when (NROL-47) is found, analysis of its orbit may offer clues regarding its mission and possible relationship to FIA Radar,” he said.

Friday’s launch was the 36th flight of a Delta 4 rocket since 2002, and the seventh from Vandenberg.

It was the last launch of a medium-lift, single-core version of the Delta 4 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base. ULA is retiring the “single-stick” Delta 4 family in favor of the less expensive Atlas 5, before eventually replacing both rockets with the next-generation Vulcan launcher.

Two more single-core Delta 4s are slated to launch from Cape Canaveral.

The heavy-lift version of the Delta 4, comprising three of the rocket’s first stages bolted together, will remain in service through at least the early 2020s to deploy the NRO’s most massive satellites. Those payloads weigh too much for the Atlas 5 or SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, the two other launch vehicles currently certified to haul costly U.S. military and intelligence-gathering satellites into orbit.

The next flight by ULA is scheduled for next week, when an Atlas 5 rocket will blast off Jan. 18 from Cape Canaveral with the Air Force’s fourth SBIRS early warning satellite toward geostationary orbit more than 22,000 miles (nearly 36,000 miles) over the equator.

Three more Delta 4s are set for launch this year. The next one is scheduled for liftoff from Cape Canaveral on July 31 with NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, using the triple-core Delta 4-Heavy configuration.

Two more Delta 4 missions are slated late this year: a Delta 4-Heavy from Vandenberg with another classified NRO satellite, and a Delta 4-Medium from Cape Canaveral with the Air Force’s tenth WGS communications craft.

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Follow Stephen Clark on Twitter: @StephenClark1.</s>United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully completed its first flight of 2018 on Friday, January 12, two days after high ground winds forced the scrubbing of the initial launch attempt and one day after a ground system valve forced a second scrub.

A ULA Delta IV Medium+(5,2) carrying the classified NROL-47 payload lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base’s Space Launch Complex 6 at 2:11 p.m. PST (5:11 p.m. EST). The mission was ULA’s 27th flight for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the 36th flight of the Delta IV rocket, which first flew in 2002. This flight marked the first of 2018 for ULA.

“As the nation’s most trustworthy launch provider, today’s launch exemplifies ULA’s ongoing commitment to 100 percent mission success,” said Will Crawford, ULA’s NRO program manager via a release. “My sincere thanks to the entire ULA team and our mission partners at the NRO and U.S. Air Force who made this, our 27th NRO launch, possible.”

The NRO is the U.S, Government agency in charge of designing, building, launching and maintaining America’s fleet of intelligence satellites. The agency was formed in 1961 and was declassified to the public in 1992. NROL-47 is NRO’s 50th launch since 1996.

Due to the mission’s classified nature, little is known about the NROL-47 payload, but it is believed to be radar reconnaissance satellite, operating from a retrograde orbit inclined 123 degrees. NROL-47 will join the Future Imagery Architecture (FIA) satellite constellation, which flies under the code name Topaz.

The NROL-47 mission marked the final flight of the Medium+ (5,2) variant of the Delta IV rocket, which has two Orbital ATK GEM-60 solid rocket motors attached the the exterior of the rocket’s Common Booster Core (CBC) and a 5-meter diameter payload fairing. The main engine of the Delta IV is the RS-68A, manufactured by Aerojet Rocketdyne. The rocket’s second stage is propelled by an RL-10 engine.

Thursday morning’s weather report from the 30th Space Wing showed an 80 percent chance of favorable conditions, a considerable improvement over the previous day’s 40 percent. However, this was not the only variable thrown at the launch team with an issue with a ground system valve forcing mission managers to call a scrub for the Thursday, Jan. 11 launch attempt(s) as well.

United Launch Alliance’s CEO and President, Tory Bruno expressed the excitement of seeing the final planned launch of a Delta IV Medium+ (5,2) soar through California’s skies when he tweeted: “Delta is ripping the sky at incredible speed.”

The Delta IV Medium+ (5,2) rocket is part of a family of launch vehicles that are described as follows by the Colorado-based launch service provider:

The Delta IV family of launch vehicles combines design simplicity, manufacturing efficiency, and streamlined mission and vehicle integration to meet customer requirements to launch high-priority U.S. Air Force (USAF), National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), NASA, and commercial payloads to orbit.

With operational launch pads on both coasts—Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., and Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.—every Delta IV configuration is available to service the requirements of current and future satellite programs.

The Delta IV launch system is available in five configurations: the Delta IV Medium (Delta IV M), three variants of the Delta IV Medium-Plus (Delta IV M+), and the Delta IV Heavy (Delta IV H). Each configuration is comprised of a common booster core (CBC), a cryogenic upper stage and either a 4-m-diameter or 5-m-diameter payload fairing (PLF).

There are three variants of Delta IV M+ configuration. The Delta IV M+(4,2) uses two strap-on solid rocket motors (SRMs – GEM-60 boosters provided by Orbital ATK) to augment the first-stage CBC and a 4-m diameter PLF. The Delta IV M+(5,2) and Delta IV M+(5,4) have two and four SRMs, respectively, and 5-m-diameter PLF.

“Another successful Delta IV launch is testament to our highly engineered composite structures, unwavering commitment and exceptional teamwork to ensure dependable access to space and affordable innovation in delivering this critical asset for our nation’s security,” said Steve Earl, Vice President and General Manager of Orbital ATK’s Aerospace Structures Division via a release.

The Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM 60) used on the Delta IV family of rockets measure some 53-feet (16 meters) in length. They burned for about 90 seconds and provided more than 560,000 pounds of thrust. These have been used on the Delta IV since its initial flight in 2002.

The GEM 60s provided additional thrust to the lone Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-68A engine located in the Delta IV’s first stage. The RS-68A engine provided an estimated 702,000 pounds of thrust during the initial phase of the flight. After staging, an Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10B-2 granted some 24,750 pounds of thrust, sending the Delta IV’s upper stage to orbit.

“The successful launch of a payload in support of our national security and that of allied forces demands the best propulsion systems available,” said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen Drake in a statement issued by the company. “Aerojet Rocketdyne employees across the country work hard to ensure 100 percent mission success, and our role in yet another launch for the National Reconnaissance Office demonstrates the trust and confidence in our propulsion.”

ULA’s next planned flight is the launch of an Atlas V 411 rocket with the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) GEO Flight 4 spacecraft for the U.S. Air Force. At present, that mission is scheduled to get underway on Thursday, Jan. 18 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 41 located in Floridae launch is scheduled for Jan. 18 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.</s>CALIFORNIA - A rocket is scheduled to be launched from Vandenberg Air Base in California Thursday.

The NROL-47 mission will mark ULA’s first launch of 2018 and 27th for the National Reconnaissance Office. NROL-47 will be the 36th flight of the Delta IV rocket since its inaugural launch 2002.

Click here for more information.</s>A Delta IV rocket is scheduled for launch Thursday afternoon from Vandenberg Air Force Base on the California coast.

The launch window is expected to open at 1:55 p.m.

The launch will be the agency's first in 2018 at the air base northwest of Santa Barbara. It is part of a mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. The Delta IV medium rocket will carry a national security payload designed, built and operated by the NRO, the agency said.

Details about the mission were not available.

NBC4 forecaster David Biggar said weather conditions will be good. A smoke trail behind the boosters might be visible for the first 90 seconds of flight.

The original launch, scheduled for Wednesday, was scrubbed due to high winds.

You can get a close-up view of Vandenberg launches at a nearby public viewing area. The Weather Station site is off of Corral Road near the base's. Take Highway 1 to the Santa Maria Gate and onto Lompoc Casmalia Road. At the barriers, turn right onto Corral Road and then left to the top. You'll find bleachers set up for spectators.

Last month, a SpaceX rocket launch from Vandenberg captured the attention of Southern Californians throughout the region with a spectacular show in the night sky.</s>A Delta IV rocket launch was scrubbed on Thursday. The launch will be set for tomorrow afternoon from Vandenberg Air Force Base on the California coast.

The launch will be the agency's first in 2018 at the air base northwest of Santa Barbara. It is part of a mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. The Delta IV medium rocket will carry a national security payload designed, built and operated by the NRO, the agency said.

Details about the mission were not available.

The original launch, scheduled for Wednesday, was scrubbed due to high winds.

You can get a close-up view of Vandenberg launches at a nearby public viewing area. The Weather Station site is off of Corral Road near the base. Take Highway 1 to the Santa Maria Gate and onto Lompoc Casmalia Road. At the barriers, turn right onto Corral Road and then left to the top. You'll find bleachers set up for spectators.

Last month, a SpaceX rocket launch from Vandenberg captured the attention of Southern Californians throughout the region with a spectacular show in the night sky.</s>United Launch Alliance is launching a Decatur-made Delta IV rocket for the NROL-47 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office.

The launch is taking place at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, California. The launch was scrubbed the previous two days because of high ground winds and a ground system valve issue.</s>Launch of Delta IV with NROL-47 scrubbed for second day in a row

United Launch Alliance scrubbed the second launch attempt of a Delta IV Medium+ (5,2) with the classified NROL-47 for the National Reconnaissance Office. However, the reason for today’s scrub differed from the prior day’s attempt.

United Launch Alliance issued the following statement regarding the scrub:

(Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Jan. 11, 2018) – The launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV carrying the NROL-47 mission was scrubbed today due to an issue with a ground system valve.

The launch is planned for Friday, Jan. 12, from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The forecast shows a 90 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The launch time is 1:00 p.m. PT.

Jason Rhian spent several years honing his skills with internships at NASA, the National Space Society and other organizations. He has provided content for outlets such as: Aviation Week & Space Technology, Space.com, The Mars Society and Universe Today.</s>The launch of a rocket carrying a national security satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base is expected Thursday afternoon.

The United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket with a National Reconnaissance Office payload was originally set for Wednesday but was delayed until Thursday due to high winds, according to the base website. It was again delayed for more than an hour on Thursday but was scheduled for 1:55 p.m. PT.

The launch for mission NROL-47 was set to take place at Space Launch Complex-6, about 10 miles west of Lompoc and 140 miles west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

It’s United Launch Alliance’s 27th for the National Reconnaissance Office, and the 36th flight for a Delta IV rocket since the first in 2002, according to the company’s website.

“We are ready and eager to take on this Delta launch,” said Col. Greg Wood, 30th Space Wing vice commander, in a base news release. “We are proud to provide this national defense capability and every Team V member involved has tirelessly worked to ensure the launch is safe and successful.”

The launch of a a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg’s Space Launch Complex-4 on Dec. 22 created a spectacular sight across Southern California skies at dusk, prompting immediate speculation about the mysterious shape of the rocket’s trail – and many, many posts on social media.

It’s not clear if the Thursday launch – occurring midafternoon – will create such a sight.</s>The 32-story-tall mobile service tower at the Delta 4’s launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California was retracted away from the rocket Thursday in advance of a planned liftoff with a top secret National Reconnaissance Office payload.

The classified NROL-47 payload is set to ride the 217-foot-tall (66-meter) rocket from Space Launch Complex 6 at Vandenberg. It will be the last “single-stick” Delta 4-Medium rocket to fly from the remote facility on California’s Central Coast.</s>The launch of a rocket carrying a national security satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base that was delayed multiple times this week is expected Friday shortly after 2 p.m.

The United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket with a National Reconnaissance Office payload was originally set to launch Wednesday but was then rescheduled for Thursday, when it was delayed multiple times and ultimately scrubbed due to a ground system valve problem.

There’s an 80 percent chance of favorable weather for the Friday afternoon launch, United Launch Alliance said on Twitter. But after an original launch time of 1 p.m. was annouced, liftoff was pushed back until 2:11 p.m.

Mission NROL-47 is scheduled for Vandenberg’s Space Launch Complex-6 near the Pacific Ocean, about 10 miles west of Lompoc and 140 miles west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

NROL-47 marks United Launch Alliance’s 27th launch for the federal National Reconnaissance Office, and the 36th flight for a Delta IV rocket since the first in 2002, according to the company’s website.

United Launch Alliance, headquartered in Denver, is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and the Boeing Co. It performs launch services for the U.S. government at Vandenberg and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Friday’s launch comes three weeks after the spectacular SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg’s Space Launch Complex-4. Traveling across Southern California skies at dusk, the rocket’s giant trail prompted immediate, intense speculation by those who didn’t know what it was.

The SpaceX launch was visible from Arizona. It’s not clear if Friday’s daytime launch will present such a spectacle.
A Delta IV launches NROL-47, a classified U.S. military payload, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. It is the last single-core Delta IV to launch from Vandenberg.