United Launch Alliance is launching a Decatur-made Delta IV rocket for the NROL-47 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office.

The launch is taking place at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, California. The launch was scrubbed the previous two days because of high ground winds and a ground system valve issue. </s> The 32-story-tall mobile service tower at the Delta 4’s launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California was retracted away from the rocket Thursday in advance of a planned liftoff with a top secret National Reconnaissance Office payload.

The classified NROL-47 payload is set to ride the 217-foot-tall (66-meter) rocket from Space Launch Complex 6 at Vandenberg. It will be the last “single-stick” Delta 4-Medium rocket to fly from the remote facility on California’s Central Coast. </s> CALIFORNIA - A rocket is scheduled to be launched from Vandenberg Air Base in California Thursday.

The NROL-47 mission will mark ULA’s first launch of 2018 and 27th for the National Reconnaissance Office. NROL-47 will be the 36th flight of the Delta IV rocket since its inaugural launch 2002.

Click here for more information. </s> VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) - A rocket carrying a classified U.S. satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office has been launched from California.

The Atlas 5 rocket lifted off at 9:49 a.m. Wednesday and roared away into a clear sky over Vandenberg Air Force Base.

All systems were going well when the launch webcast concluded about five minutes into the flight, as is customary during such missions.

An Atlas 5 rocket carrying the NROL-79 mission is launched at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. The rocket carrying a classified U.S. satellite dubbed NROL-79 is described only as a national security payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. (Matt Hartman via AP)

The satellite dubbed NROL-79 is described only as a national security payload for the NRO.

The once-secret office operates an array of intelligence-gathering satellites.

The launch was conducted by United Launch Alliance, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing, and the Air Force's 30th Space Wing.

This photo provided by United Launch Alliance shows an Atlas V rocket carrying the NROL-79 mission at the Space Launch Complex-3, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. rocket carrying a classified U.S. satellite dubbed NROL-79 is described only as a national security payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. (United Launch Alliance via AP)

This photo provided by United Launch Alliance shows an Atlas V rocket carrying the NROL-79 mission at the Space Launch Complex-3, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 in preparation for the launch. The rocket carrying a classified U.S. satellite dubbed NROL-79 is described only as a national security payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. (United Launch Alliance via AP) </s> A Delta IV rocket launch was scrubbed on Thursday. The launch will be set for tomorrow afternoon from Vandenberg Air Force Base on the California coast.

The launch will be the agency's first in 2018 at the air base northwest of Santa Barbara. It is part of a mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. The Delta IV medium rocket will carry a national security payload designed, built and operated by the NRO, the agency said.

Details about the mission were not available.

The original launch, scheduled for Wednesday, was scrubbed due to high winds.

You can get a close-up view of Vandenberg launches at a nearby public viewing area. The Weather Station site is off of Corral Road near the base. Take Highway 1 to the Santa Maria Gate and onto Lompoc Casmalia Road. At the barriers, turn right onto Corral Road and then left to the top. You'll find bleachers set up for spectators.

Last month, a SpaceX rocket launch from Vandenberg captured the attention of Southern Californians throughout the region with a spectacular show in the night sky. </s> A Delta IV rocket is scheduled for launch Thursday afternoon from Vandenberg Air Force Base on the California coast.

The launch window is expected to open at 1:55 p.m.

The launch will be the agency's first in 2018 at the air base northwest of Santa Barbara. It is part of a mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. The Delta IV medium rocket will carry a national security payload designed, built and operated by the NRO, the agency said.

Details about the mission were not available.

NBC4 forecaster David Biggar said weather conditions will be good. A smoke trail behind the boosters might be visible for the first 90 seconds of flight.

The original launch, scheduled for Wednesday, was scrubbed due to high winds.

You can get a close-up view of Vandenberg launches at a nearby public viewing area. The Weather Station site is off of Corral Road near the base's. Take Highway 1 to the Santa Maria Gate and onto Lompoc Casmalia Road. At the barriers, turn right onto Corral Road and then left to the top. You'll find bleachers set up for spectators.

Last month, a SpaceX rocket launch from Vandenberg captured the attention of Southern Californians throughout the region with a spectacular show in the night sky. </s> Launch of Delta IV with NROL-47 scrubbed for second day in a row

United Launch Alliance scrubbed the second launch attempt of a Delta IV Medium+ (5,2) with the classified NROL-47 for the National Reconnaissance Office. However, the reason for today’s scrub differed from the prior day’s attempt.

United Launch Alliance issued the following statement regarding the scrub:

(Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Jan. 11, 2018) – The launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV carrying the NROL-47 mission was scrubbed today due to an issue with a ground system valve.

The launch is planned for Friday, Jan. 12, from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The forecast shows a 90 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The launch time is 1:00 p.m. PT.

Jason Rhian spent several years honing his skills with internships at NASA, the National Space Society and other organizations. He has provided content for outlets such as: Aviation Week & Space Technology, Space.com, The Mars Society and Universe Today. </s> "The launch of #DeltaIVHeavy carrying the #NROL71 mission for the @NatReconOfc was scrubbed today due to an unexpected condition during terminal count. The team is reviewing all data and will determine the path forward. A new launch date will be provided when available," the company said on Twitter.

READ MORE: Delta II US Carrier Rocket With New Generation Satellite Lifts Off (VIDEO)

The launch was to be carried out at 20.15 local time Saturday (04.15 GMT Sunday) from the US Air Force Base Vanderberg in California.

The Delta IV rocket is the fourth generation of the Boeing Delta family of launch vehicles. The Delta IV was developed as part of the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program to launch commercial satellites and US Air Force satellites. </s> Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lifted off from Space Launch Complex-3 March 1 at 9:50 a.m. PST. Designated NROL-79, the mission is in support of national defense.

“I am so impressed by the incredible teamwork between the NRO, U.S. Air Force our industry partners and the ULA team that resulted in today’s successful launch. The integrated mission team overcame many challenges this flow including delays associated with the Vandenberg Canyon Fire last year,” said Laura Maginnis, vice president, Government Satellite Launch. “Tragically, Ventura County firefighter Ryan Osler lost his life en route to assist in fighting the fire. We are honored to dedicate today’s mission to Ryan and his family. Thank you to all of the men and women who worked to deliver this critical asset for our nation’s security.”

This mission was launched aboard an Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) 401 configuration vehicle, which includes a 4-meter-diameter extended payload fairing. The Atlas booster for this mission was powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine, and the Centaur upper stage was powered by the Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10C-1 engine.

This is ULA’s second launch in 2017 and the 117th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.

ULA’s next launch is the Delta IV WGS-9 satellite for the U.S. Air Force. The launch is scheduled for March 8 from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
A Delta IV launches NROL-47, a classified U.S. military payload, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. It is the last single-core Delta IV to launch from Vandenberg.