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ULA launches rocket from Florida
United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched a Delta IV Heavy rocket from Florida early Thursday morning.
ORLANDO, Fla. - United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched a Delta IV Heavy rocket from Florida early Thursday morning. Liftoff happened at 5:18 a.m. at the Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
The launch was originally scheduled for Wednesday morning but was delayed due to an issue with a ground systems pneumatic valve.
The rocket carried the NROL-68 mission into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
According to ULA, the NRO uses a variety of satellites to meet mission needs, from small to traditional. "This allows the NRO to pursue a hybrid architecture designed to provide global coverage against a wide range of intelligence requirements, carry out research and development efforts, and assist emergency and disaster relief efforts in the U.S. and around the world," ULA says.
The NRO are the "eyes and ears" of the United States when critical surveillance is needed in terrain where no human can reach. The NRO is the Intelligence Community agency responsible for developing, acquiring, launching, and operating America’s reconnaissance satellites and associated data processing facilities in support of national security.