ULA's Delta IV Heavy Rockets Launch NROL-44 US Spy Satellite into Orbit Despite Unclear Mission

Urian B., Tech Times 10 December 2020, 09:12 pm

The United States have just recently added to its existing network of spy satellites. The official United Launch Alliance of ULA has successfully launched its own 12th Delta IV rocket on December 10, Thursday, from the known Space Launch Complex-37 at exactly 8:09 PM EDT or 0109 GMT on December 12, yet with unclear mission. ULA will launch the classified NROL-44 spacecraft for the United States National Reconnaissance Office or NRO.

What NROL 44?

According to an article by Space, the launch was able to go off without a hitch following a couple of months of delays that had been due to hardware issues as well as certain problems regarding the launch pad infrastructure. The NROL-44 was originally stated to lift off back in August 26, the NROL-44 mission was also initially pushed back for 24 hours as per the customer's request.

On August 27, the rocket was reportedly fueled for the launch but the official countdown was then halted due to the issue regarding a critical ground pneumatics control system. Another attempt on August 29 was also aborted at exactly the last second. There were plans to launch the mission back in September 26 but were then scuttled by a particular issue with the said launch pad's own swing arm retraction system.

Delta IV Heavy launch

Weather was the main reason that pushed the flight back again to September 29, which was then followed by yet again another automatic abort on September 30. This happened when the rocket's own onboard computer was able to detect a particular sensor default. This particular issue then resulted in a slur of months delay.

The skies of the known space coast were reportedly crystal clear as both the stars and constellations and even planet Mars were all visibible in the sky directly above the launch pad. The rocket finally lit up the night sky which seemed to be slowly making its climb into space. The power of the rocket's own main engines then kicked in gear and the said rocket immediately soared out of sight as it thundered through the skies.

Why does the Delta IV set itself on fire?

ULA is now developing its very own next-generation launcher called the Vulcan Centaur and is also in the current process of phasing out its very own Atlas and Delta rocket families. There are only four different Delta IV Heavy launches that remain. Two of them are scheduled to fly directly from California and also two additional missions that are said to blast off from the known cape somewhere before 2023 ends.

As shown by the series of recent delays, a Delta IV Heavy launch is still nothing short of quite dramatic. The known behemoth puts on a major spectacle as it proceeds to climb towards the orbit. In the process, the rocket literally lights itself on fire just a few seconds before it will leave the pad. Due to its own sheer size and weight, the rocket appears majestic as it then climbs and also appears to slowly leave planet Earth behind.