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Delay in the Launch of the Delta IV Heavy Rocket
Unfortunately, enthusiasts will have to exercise patience for an additional twenty-four hours to witness the final send-off of the United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) formidable Delta IV Heavy rocket.
The Delta IV Heavy was scheduled for liftoff earlier today, on March 28th, to deploy a U.S. spy satellite into orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Regrettably, the launch attempt was aborted with less than four minutes remaining in the countdown due to an issue with the gaseous nitrogen pipeline responsible for supplying pneumatic pressure to the rocket’s systems, as reported by ULA in their latest update.
The rescheduled launch is now set to occur on Friday, March 29th, at 1:37 p.m. EDT (1737 GMT). Viewers can witness the event live on Space.com, courtesy of ULA.
The Final Mission of the Delta IV Heavy Rocket
This upcoming launch marks the 16th and ultimate mission of the Delta IV Heavy, signalling the conclusion of the Delta rocket family’s more than sixty-year legacy. ULA’s Vulcan Centaur has been introduced as the successor rocket to the Delta IV Heavy, with a successful maiden flight completed in January by delivering the private Peregrine moon lander into orbit, despite encountering challenges post-deployment that thwarted its lunar mission progression.
The esteemed Delta IV Heavy rocket will be tasked with delivering a classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office in its final mission, designated as NROL-70. The National Reconnaissance Office is responsible for overseeing the country’s collection of reconnaissance satellite operations, typically operating with high levels of secrecy regarding their functionalities and missions.
Given the nature of the mission, ULA’s description of NROL-70 is intentionally vague, only indicating that the launch aims to bolster the NRO’s capacity in providing real-time intelligence to key decision-makers, military personnel, and intelligence analysts for safeguarding national interests and supporting global humanitarian endeavors.
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