Article Posted on : - Apr 05, 2012

The Delta IV rocket lifts off with the secret payload. A ULA photo

VANDENBERG, CALIFORNIA (BNS): A Delta IV rocket carrying a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office of the US Government has been launched from California.

The unmanned rocket blasted off from the Vandenberg Air Force Base at 4:12 p.m. PDT (2312 GMT) on April 3.

Designated NROL-25, the mission is in support of national defence, United Launch Alliance (ULA), which was part of the launch programme, said.

"Congratulations to the NRO and to all the mission partners involved in this critical national security launch," Jim Sponnick, vice president of mission operation for ULA, said after the successful launch.

The mission was originally planned for March 28 but was delayed due to technical issues.

The National Reconnaissance Office operates satellites that provide information to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and US Department of Defence. In 2011, the agency had launched six reconnaissance spacecraft in seven months.

"NROL-25 represents the first of five National Security Space missions that will be launched by the EELV programme over the next four months, including four NRO missions along with the upcoming AEHF-2 launch," ULA said.

The April 3 launch was the first mission conducted by the Delta IV medium-plus 5,2 configuration Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV).

The EELV programme is developed by the United States Air Force to assure access to space for Department of Defence and other government payloads.

ULA will next launch the AEHF-2 mission for the US Air Force in May.