U.S. Spy satellite launched from Florida

An Atlas V rocket carried a secret military satellite into orbit after a launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Wednesday morning, officials said.

The launch occurred at 8:28 EDT from the station's Launch Pad 41, Tampa cable news station Bay News 9 reported.

The Atlas V was initially set for launch Monday, but was delayed when a faulty duct on the rocket had to be removed and replaced, officials with commercial space company United Launch Alliance said.

The launch payload was a satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office.

The launch was the 61st for the United Launch Alliance.

"We have 11 missions total scheduled this year, nine right here on the Space Coast," United Launch Alliance spokeswoman Jessica Rye said. "We have an exciting NASA mission coming up later this year. Just a lot going on between national security payloads, NASA missions, so a great time to watch a rocket launch here at the Cape."


Source: By the UPI Science News - 21 June 2012

Photo: The Launch of Atlas V NROL-38 from Cape Canaveral. (Photo by United Launch Alliance / americaspace.org)

(21.06.2012)