Delta IV Rocket With Secret Payload Blasts Off
By Ed Pierce // June 29, 2012
Second Mission In Nine Days
BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – A Delta IV successfully lifted off this morning rocket carrying a secret payload for the National Reconnaissance Office.
The United Launch Alliance rocket launch was delayed for 3 hours and 2 minutes minutes because of technical issues with an onboard battery parameter and then an upper-stage liquid oxygen fill and drain valve, but blasted off at 9:15 a.m. from Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
It is the third mission undertaken for the National Reconnaissance Office this year and the second of three planned launches for the agency in a span of six weeks.
On June 20, an Atlas V rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying another secret payload for the National Reconnaissance Office.
Today’s launch had originally been planned for Thursday, but was delayed a day when Tropical Storm Debby passed through Florida earlier this week.
