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| US spy satellite launched into space aboard rocket from California | US spy satellite launched into space aboard rocket from California |
| (21 days later) | |
| A massive rocket carrying a spy satellite for the US government launched from the central California coast on Wednesday. | A massive rocket carrying a spy satellite for the US government launched from the central California coast on Wednesday. |
| The Delta IV Heavy rocket soared off the launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base, about 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles, and sped toward low-Earth orbit, officials at United Launch Alliance said. | The Delta IV Heavy rocket soared off the launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base, about 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles, and sped toward low-Earth orbit, officials at United Launch Alliance said. |
| The rocket carried a satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office, which oversees the nation's constellation of intelligence-gathering satellites. Liftoff occurred at 11:03am PDT, about 10 minutes later than planned as engineers dealt with some last-minute minor issues. | The rocket carried a satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office, which oversees the nation's constellation of intelligence-gathering satellites. Liftoff occurred at 11:03am PDT, about 10 minutes later than planned as engineers dealt with some last-minute minor issues. |
| Since the mission is classified, no other details were available. | Since the mission is classified, no other details were available. |
| At 23 stories, the Delta IV Heavy is the largest rocket in the country. The last time it launched from Vandenberg – in 2011 – the roar of the engines shook the nearby city of Lompoc. Some people reported hearing the engine roar from 50 miles away. | At 23 stories, the Delta IV Heavy is the largest rocket in the country. The last time it launched from Vandenberg – in 2011 – the roar of the engines shook the nearby city of Lompoc. Some people reported hearing the engine roar from 50 miles away. |
| This time around, the three main engines were ignited one after another to lessen the impact during liftoff. | This time around, the three main engines were ignited one after another to lessen the impact during liftoff. |
| Air Force security and police closed a nearby beach and evacuated campers as a precaution. About 200 cars lined the access road to the base and spectators gathered at other viewing spots for a glimpse of the rocket cruising through the cloudless sky. | Air Force security and police closed a nearby beach and evacuated campers as a precaution. About 200 cars lined the access road to the base and spectators gathered at other viewing spots for a glimpse of the rocket cruising through the cloudless sky. |
| United Launch Alliance is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Corporation and The Boeing Corporation to provide space launch services to the federal government with their Atlas and Delta rocket programs. | United Launch Alliance is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Corporation and The Boeing Corporation to provide space launch services to the federal government with their Atlas and Delta rocket programs. |
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