NRO Satellite Successfully Launched Aboard Delta IV Heavy

NROL-49 logo. source www.thespacereview.com

January 20, 2011 www.nro.mil

A National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) payload was successfully launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) from Space Launch Complex-6, Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), California, at 1:10 p.m., PST, on January 20, 2011.

This is the third in a series of six launches that will take place during the 50th anniversary of the NRO. This is also the first Delta IV-Heavy mission to launch from VAFB, and is the third Delta IV vehicle to launch from United Launch Alliance’s Space Launch Complex-6.

“I’m grateful to everybody who worked so hard to make this mission happen, the launch team, the satellite vehicle team, and our mission partners. It is always a great feeling to have hard work culminate in success. When the satellite becomes operational, it will assure the US continues to enjoy superior vigilance from above,” remarked Col Alan Davis, Director of Office of Space Launch.

The NRO is a joint Department of Defense-Intelligence Community organization responsible for developing, launching, and operating America’s signals, imagery, and communications satellites to meet the needs of our nation.