[Launch Alert] Launch on Schedule

[Launch Alert]

Today's (September 24) launch of a Delta IV Heavy rocket from Vandenberg SFB, Calif. appears to be on schedule. The vehicle is slated to lift off from south base at 2:53 p.m. PDT. Following liftoff from south base, the Delta will probably head south as it carries a classified payload into orbit for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

For countdown status and video feeds, go to:

https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/09/24/delta-4-heavy-nrol-91-mission-status-center/

http://www.ulalaunch.com/

Other sources of launch information are (hashtags #DeltaIVHeavy #NROL91):

http://www.facebook.com/ulalaunch

http://www.twitter.com/ulalaunch

http://www.instagram.com/ulalaunch

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The following is a United Launch Alliance news media advisory about the launch issued yesterday:

United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy to Launch Satellite to Support National Security


What: A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket is in final preparations to launch the NROL-91 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).


Where: Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.


When: Launch is planned for Sept. 24, 2022 at 2:53 p.m. PDT.


Mission details:

The NROL-91 mission marks ULA’s 32nd launch in partnership with the NRO, beginning with ULA’s very first launch in 2006.

NROL-91 will be the NRO's 10th launch aboard ULA's Delta IV Heavy rocket, which is the nation’s proven heavy lifter, delivering high-priority missions for the
U.S. Space Force, National Reconnaissance Office and NASA.

This mission marks the 5th Delta IV Heavy launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, and 95th and final launch of a Delta rocket from Vandenberg as ULA transitions its future missions from the West Coast to the new Vulcan Centaur rocket.

NROL-91 will be ULA’s 96th National Security Space mission.


Launch Vehicle details:

The Delta IV Heavy consists of a half-million pounds (227,000 kg) of hardware in the form of three common booster cores (CBCs) each fitted with RS-68A main engines, a Delta Cryogenic Second Stage (DCSS) with an RL10C-2-1 engine and a composite payload fairing (PLF) that is 16.7 feet (5.1 meters) in diameter and 62.7 feet (19.1 meters) in length.

The rocket uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in all stages, with each RS-68A main engines generating 702,000 pounds (312.3 kilo Newtons) of thrust and the RL10 producing 24,750 pounds (106.7 Newtons) of thrust.

At liftoff, the fully fueled rocket will stand 233 feet tall (71 meters) and weigh 1.6 million pounds (725,700 kg).

The Delta IV Heavy configuration first launched in December 2004.


How to stay informed:

Photos from launch processing can be found on our Flickr page. These photos can be used with credit to United Launch Alliance

The live launch broadcast begins at 2:33 p.m. PDT at www.ulalaunch.com (www.ulalaunch.com).

The live launch blog starts at 5:15 a.m. PDT on Sept. 24.

Join the conversation: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; hashtags #DeltaIVHeavy #NROL91


About ULA:

Leveraging a legacy of 100 percent mission success launching 150 missions to explore, protect and enhance our world, ULA is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider with world-leading reliability, schedule confidence, and mission optimization. We deliver value unmatched by any launch services company in the industry, a tireless drive to improve, and commitment to the extraordinary.


For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com (www.ulalaunch.com), or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321).