Live chat room event: Delta IV Heavy to Launch NROL-65 (August 28, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. UTC/GMT)

Question

This is an invitation to attend our chat room event, where we will be covering the launch of the ULA (United Launch Alliance) Delta IV-Heavy configuration delivering the classified NROL-65 payload to orbit for the United States National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

Chat event will start 20 minutes before the first launch window time.

    

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Live Broadcast

Delta IV Heavy to Launch NROL-65

Rocket/Payload: A Delta IV Heavy configuration will launch the NROL-65 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

Date/Site/Launch Time: Wednesday, Aug. 28, from Space Launch Complex (SLC) 6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.   

Viewing the Launch by Webcast: The launch will be webcast live; the time will be posted closer to the launch date.

Launch Notes: NROL-65 will be ULA’s eighth launch in 2013 and the company’s 74th overall. The mission will be the 24th Delta IV flight since the vehicle’s inaugural launch in 2002 and the second time the Delta IV Heavy has launched from the West Coast.

Mission Description: The mission will be launched for the National Reconnaissance Office in support of national defense.

Launch Updates: To keep up to speed with updates to the launch countdown, dial the ULA launch hotline at 1-877-852-4321. Join the conversation at facebook.com/ulalaunch and twitter.com/ulalaunch; look for the #NROL65 hashtag.

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Your local times for the start of the chat room event

Timezone      Date        Local time
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GMT/UTC       August 28    5:30 p.m.
CET/CEST      August 28    7:30 p.m.
EST/EDT       August 28    1:30 p.m.
PST/PDT       August 28   10:30 a.m.

  

If you can't find your timezone in the list above, you can use the World Time Buddy tool.

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Welcome to our chat room - The Pod Bay - where we will discuss this event and post links to live streams covering the launch!

Answer 1

MISSION SUCCESS!

America's largest rocket lifts off from California

Igniting its three main engines in a staggered sequence for the first time, a United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket successfully flew into Earth orbit and deployed a U.S. national security satellite on August 28, 2013.

The United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket has successfully launched its classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office following liftoff at 11:03 a.m. local time today from Space Launch Complex 6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

"We are truly honored to deliver this critical asset to orbit," said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Atlas and Delta Programs. "The ULA Delta 4-Heavy is currently the world’s largest rocket, providing the nation with reliable, proven, heavy lift capability for our country's national security payloads from both the east and west coasts. I congratulate the combined NRO, Air Force, ULA, and supplier team on today's successful launch of the NROL-65 mission."

► Video of the Delta IV Heavy launching NROL-65