CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – United Launch Alliance launched its Delta IV Heavy rocket for the sixteenth and final time at 12:53 p.m. Tuesday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
ULA said the rocket will carry a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office, the NROL-70 mission, which bills itself as the developer and operator of “the world’s most capable and innovative overhead reconnaissance systems.”
The NRO has said the NROL-70 mission is necessary to further its intelligence-collecting capabilities as they apply to U.S. national security, as well as to disaster relief and humanitarian efforts.
Delta IV rockets were created to fulfill the requirements of the U.S. Air Force’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, according to the NRO.
The new Vulcan Centaur rocket will carry on the Delta IV Heavy’s capabilities.
ULA president Tory Bruno shared some final thoughts on the Heavy’s legacy.
“We’re going to retire this venerable rocket that has made so much important work for our country, and I want to thank everyone who has been involved with the Delta IV Heavy,” Bruno said. “To send off this great vehicle into its well-earned retirement.”
A previous launch attempt was scrubbed on March 28 due to an issue with the gaseous nitrogen pipeline, which provides pneumatic pressure to the launch vehicle systems.
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