Delta IV Heavy Completes Its Final Mission with NROL-70 Launch by US Space Force and ULA

Written by Copernical Team Wednesday, 10 April 2024 15:14

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Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 10, 2024

The US Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC), together with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and United Launch Alliance (ULA), has successfully launched the NROL-70 mission. This launch, utilizing the Delta IV Heavy rocket for its final mission, occurred at 12:53 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Col. Jim Horne, SSC's senior m

Delta IV Heavy Completes Its Final Mission with NROL-70 Launch by US Space Force and ULA
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 10, 2024

The US Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC), together with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and United Launch Alliance (ULA), has successfully launched the NROL-70 mission. This launch, utilizing the Delta IV Heavy rocket for its final mission, occurred at 12:53 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

Col. Jim Horne, SSC's senior materiel leader for the Launch Execution Delta, expressed satisfaction with the mission's success, highlighting the critical nature of the payload delivered to orbit for national security. He praised the intricate collaboration and detailed planning involved in national security launches.

The Delta IV Heavy has been a staple in deploying the NRO's most essential satellites for over 15 years, significantly contributing to national and allied security. With the retirement of the Delta launch vehicles, ULA's Vulcan is set to take over, promising enhanced affordability and performance for future national security and commercial satellite launches.

The Assured Access to Space (AATS) program, an executive office within SSC, continues to advance the US Space Force's capabilities in space access, on-orbit operations, and mission support. AATS is pivotal in developing policies and capabilities that ensure quick and reliable space asset deployment and management.

AATS, directing over 10,000 personnel across various services and locations, is at the forefront of innovations in sub-orbital mobility, on-orbit servicing, and tactical space responses, ensuring robust support for over 100 mission partners.

Space Systems Command remains dedicated to delivering resilient space capabilities, managing a substantial budget to safeguard national interests in space. The closure of the Delta program marks a significant milestone in U.S. space launch history, transitioning to the next generation of space launch capabilities with the Vulcan rocket.