Thanks to cooperative weather, a Delta IV Heavy rocket roared away from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Monday afternoon, rising into clear blue skies on its first launch attempt.
The rocket, manufactured by United Launch Alliance, blasted off at 1:47 p.m. from Space Launch Complex-6 on South Base, leaving behind a white contrail as it met post-liftoff milestones.
On board the booster was clandestine cargo for the National Reconnaissance Office, the nation’s spy satellite agency.
“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.”
Beyond confirming the rocket’s nose cone separated as planned less than 10 minutes after liftoff, officials remained mum about whether the national security spacecraft arrived in orbit and the price tag, due to the top-secret payload for this mission dubbed NROL-82.
“The payload launched today is one of the most complex payloads our nation launches, and it provides vital space capability,” said Col. Robert Bongiovi, from the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base. “That’s why we have to get it right the first time. The launch team performed flawlessly, and I am so proud of the work they do to ensure 100% mission success.”
Liftoff followed a campaign that spanned months of work readying for the departure of Delta.
“National Security Space Launch is a ‘no-fail’ mission that requires the highest level of professionalism and dedication from all the Airmen and Guardians assigned to Team Vandenberg,” said Col. Anthony Mastalir, 30th Space Wing commander, who also provided the final permission for liftoff.
Key components landed on the Central Coast in spring 2020 after a barge trip from the manufacturing plant in Alabama through the Panama Canal to Vandenberg, a trek recounted in a ULA video.
During the countdown, officials said the launch was dedicated to the memory of past NRO teammates including Lisa Wilson and Ross Kobayashi, plus front-line workers involved in the COVID-19 battle.
A message on the rocket said, “Salute to our front-line medical workers! In harm’s way to keep us healthy while we fight to keep America safe.”
The launch marked ULA’s 13th Delta IV Heavy mission, with four of those occurring from Vandenberg and the rest from Florida.
Nine Delta IV rockets, including the medium- and heavy-lift versions, have lifted off from the West Coast.
Vandenberg’s launch manifest for 2021 also includes Minuteman missile tests and Falcon rocket launches, along with the debut of Firefly Aerospace‘s first Alpha rocket from Space Launch Complex-2.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
