Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Atlas 5 Rocket to Loft New U.S. Spy Satellite

Via Space.com.

The inaugural launch of an Atlas 5 rocket from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base is scheduled for liftoff at 3:02 a.m. local time (6:02 a.m. EDT) on Thursday.

Few details are available about the classified launch, which will place a spy satellite into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office. In fact, the rocket's ascent is expected to enter a news blackout once the vehicle's protective nose cone is jettisoned about five minutes into flight. Confirmation of the launch's outcome could be announced sometime later in the morning.

This will be the first launch from a rebuilt site on the West Coast following Atlas 5's previous dozen flights from Florida.

More here.

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