A Delta IV Heavy rocket carries a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload downrange following liftoff from Vandenberg AFB on January 20. The launch was the first-ever for the Delta IV Heavy from the West Coast. Copyright 2011, Jim Carleton. Used with permission.
(JAN 20) VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - The first West Coast Delta IV Heavy Launch Vehicle was launched from Space Launch Complex-6 here Jan. 20 at 1:10 p.m. PST.
The largest rocket ever to launch from the West Coast of the United States carried a national security payload for the National Reconnaissance Office.
"The teamwork between the 30th Space Wing, the National Reconnaissance Office, United Launch Alliance and numerous other agencies was outstanding for our first-ever Delta IV HLV from Vandenberg Air Force Base," said Col. Keith Balts, 30th Space Wing vice commander and Launch Decision Authority. "I'm very proud to be part of the team who worked so hard to make this mission a success."
The Delta IV Heavy launched today is 235 feet tall and produced 2 million pounds of thrust.
Vandenberg AFB
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