Delta IV Heavy rocket successfully launches from Vandenberg AFB carrying US spy satellite
LOMPOC, Calif. — A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office satellite successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Monday.
The mission was only postponed by one minute from the initial scheduled launch time, taking off from Space Launch Complex-6 at 1:47 p.m.
Many locals and visitors staked out a spot to see the rocket roar into the sky.
Jeff Young is a photographer from the Bay Area who regularly drives down to Lompoc for these launches. "It's an adrenaline rush, it's like trying to shoot the Super Bowl and it consists of a coin toss. either you're ready or you're not," said Young.
The Delta IV Heavy is recognized for delivering high-priority missions for the U.S. Space Force, NRO and NASA. The rocket was used to launch NASA's Orion capsule on its first orbital test flight and to send the Parker Solar Probe on its journey to unlock the mysteries of the sun.
Standing at 23 stories tall, Monday's rocket was used to launch a US spy satellite from the NRO into space.
“The unmatched power of the Delta IV Heavy again demonstrated its role as the nation’s proven heavy lift vehicle precisely delivering this critical NRO asset to its intended orbit,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “We are honored to support National Security space and thank our mission partners for their continued trust and teamwork.”
This was the ninth Delta IV Heavy launched from Vandenberg. The first rocket took off from the base on Jan. 20, 2011.
Cara Lachance is a Lompoc local who always makes it out for Vandenberg launches. "Some people, you know, they've never seen it, so they're like amazed. Some people, it's like me, we come out as often as we can."
The Delta IV is also the largest rocket ever to launch from the West Coast.
“Our tremendous partnership with United Launch Alliance and the National Reconnaissance Office is driven by our collective dedication to mission success,” said Col. Anthony Mastalir, 30th Space Wing commander. “We are proud of our ability to provide assured access to space and look forward to showcasing this national capability for heavy lift on the Western Range in support of the NRO.”
Getting the Delta IV heavy rocket to the launch pad the @30thSpaceWing is no easy task when its journey starts in Alabama.
— ussfspoc (@ussfspoc) April 18, 2021
Watch as the Delta IV heavy makes its way from Alabama to the coast of California on @ULA’s #Rocketship.#Launch #DeltaIVHeavy https://t.co/O3g6XibYuN
The launch was webcast until the second stage ignited and the protective cover over the satellite was jettisoned.
As is customary, the webcast then ceased at the request of the National Reconnaissance Office.
The NRO is the government agency in charge of developing, building, launching and maintaining U.S. intelligence satellites.
