[Launch Alert] Falcon 9 Launched

[Launch Alert]

The following is a Vandenberg SFB news release:
 
NROL-87 Launched From Vandenberg Wednesday
 
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Team Vandenberg launched the National Reconnaissance Office mission (NROL-87) from Space Launch Complex-4 here Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 12:27 p.m. Pacific Time.
 
Col. Rob Long, Space Launch Delta 30 commander, was the launch decision authority.
 
“The Western Range has a storied history of success alongside the National Reconnaissance Office.  I’m proud of the team’s dedication and focus in conducting safe launch and range operations to ensure this vital national security program succeeded,” said Col. Rob Long, Space Launch Delta 30 commander. “We are proud to achieve another first together with the NRO and SpaceX, and demonstrate once again how our strong and lasting partnerships lead to mission success.”
 
Space Launch Delta 30’s primary responsibilities include maintaining and operating the Western range, providing mission assurance, safeguarding the public and ensuring minimal environmental impact so we can provide services, facilities and range safety control for the execution of DoD, civil and commercial launches.
 
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The following is a Los Angeles AFB news release:
 
Space Systems Command launches NRO payload aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket
 
LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Space Systems Command’s Launch Enterprise team and its mission partners successfully launched the National Reconnaissance Office Launch-87 (NROL-87) mission on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket today at 12:27 p.m. PST from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
 
“Today was our first National Security Space Launch SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base and it was a true team effort,” said Col. Robert Bongiovi, director of the Space Systems Command’s Launch Enterprise. “The Launch Enterprise teams’ relentless pursuit of innovation drives us to partner with industry to assure access to space, meet mission objectives, and lower costs. Each launch is unique and culminates a campaign of activity that ensures successful placement of the space vehicle into orbit. Whether we’re launching from Vandenberg, Cape Canaveral or Kennedy Space Center results like today’s reflect the combined Government-Industry team’s dedication to mission success.”
 
This is the first-ever National Security Space Launch via a Falcon 9 launched from Vandenberg, and the fifth Falcon 9 NSSL launch from any location.
 
“A hearty congratulations to the National Reconnaissance Office, SpaceX, and the entire Space Systems Command team for the successful NROL-87 launch today,” said Dr. Walt Lauderdale, chief of SSC’s Launch Enterprise Falcon Division. “Today’s first NSSL Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base was the culmination of many months’ work. It takes teamwork from everyone involved, and successes like this illustrate the focus and dedication of our combined efforts.”
 
Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force field command responsible for rapidly identifying, prototyping and fielding resilient space capabilities for joint warfighters. SSC delivers sustainable joint space warfighting capabilities to defend the nation and its allies while disrupting adversaries in the contested space domain. SSC mission areas include launch acquisition and operations; space domain awareness; positioning, navigation and timing; missile warning; satellite communication; and cross-mission ground, command and control data.