Spy Satellite Launch! Delta IV heavy launch vehicle is then launched on mission
By KASA
Overview
The United Launch Alliance Delta 4 heavy launch vehicle was launched aboard a U.S. spy satellite at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
On September 24, the Delta 4 Heavy successfully launched a mission code-named NROL-91 to send a high-resolution imaging satellite of the National Reconnaissance Office ( NRO ) into low-Earth orbit.
Delta IV Heavy
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Defense Support Program flight 23 takes off into the night Nov. 10 aboard Boeing’s new Delta IV Heavy Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle. Flight 23 marked the end of a 36-year era of DSP satellites. The program will be succeeded by the Space-Based Infrared System program.
The Delta IV Heavy[1] ( Delta 9250H ) combines a 5 m ( 16 ft ) diameter DCSS and payload fairing with two additional CBCs.
These are strap-on boosters which are separated earlier in the flight than the center CBC.
As of 2007, a longer 5 meter diameter composite fairing was standard on the Delta IV Heavy, with an aluminum isogrid fairing also available.
The aluminum trisector (three-part) fairing was built by Boeing and derived from a Titan IV fairing.
The trisector fairing was first used on the DSP-23 flight.The Delta IV with the extended fairing is over 62 m (203 ft) tall.
First Delta IV Heavy with three CBCs prior to launch
The Future
The heavy rocket is expected to be officially retired in 2024 and replaced by a new generation of Vulcan carrier rockets to carry out US military satellite deployment missions.
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Spy?!!!!!!!