US Spy Satellite Launches Atop Delta IV Heavy Rocket

A rocket carrying a classified satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office finally launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County on Saturday after weeks of delays.

The 233-foot-tall Delta IV Heavy rocket lifted off at 11:10 a.m.

The launch had been repeatedly delayed since Dec. 7 for reasons including a hydrogen leak, high winds and a problem with ground communication equipment. On Dec. 8, United Launch Alliance aborted an attempt just seven seconds before the scheduled liftoff.

It delayed the mission on Jan. 5 indefinitely before being given a unanimous "go" on Friday, according to ULA's website.

The group is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Details of the mission, dubbed NROL-71, were not released.

A 40 percent chance of favorable weather conditions was in the forecast on Saturday. Typically, rockets can been seen across Southern California within minutes of liftoff from the Central Coast air base.
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