[Launch Alert] Atlas Launch Successful

[Launch Alert]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
From: 30th Space Wing Public Affairs, www.vandenberg.af.mil

ATLAS LAUNCH SUCCESSFUL

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Team Vandenberg successfully launched
the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance
Office payload from Space Launch Complex-3 here Friday, Dec. 12, at 7:19
p.m. PDT.

Col. Keith Balts, 30th Space Wing commander, was the launch decision
authority.

"This launch was an incredible achievement for Team Vandenberg, ULA, NRO and
our other fellow launch partners," said Balts. "This Atlas V launch marked
the last of the year and I am very proud of the teamwork that led to the
success of not only today's launch, but those that preceded. The hard work
and dedication of everyone involved continues to ensure our nation's access
to space. This was especially evident by our base electricians who worked
tirelessly through last night's extreme weather to ensure power was
available for launch."

This is the most powerful Atlas V rocket launched from Vandenberg because it
has four solid rocket boosters, producing approximately 250,000 pounds of
thrust per solid rocket. These four solids along with the main engine of the
Atlas V produced a total thrust around 2 million pounds at liftoff!  

"This has been an exciting mission" said 1st Lt. Adam Rich, Lead Atlas V
Engineer for the 4th Space Launch Squadron.  "Not only is it the first use
of four solid rocket boosters on an Atlas here at Vandenberg, but it is also
the first launch a new second stage engine design."  

The 4th SLS has been working alongside ULA since September to make sure this
launch goes off successfully. The Atlas V first stage booster landed at
Vandenberg Air Force Base aboard the Antanov AV-124. After all the rocket
components arrive here at Vandenberg, they go through a receipt inspection
and are then transported to the pad for stacking in an operation known as
Launch Vehicle on Stand. Since LVOS, engineers and technicians have been
working around the clock to complete all the installations, system
checkouts, and tests necessary for launch.