ULA NROL-71 Delta IV Heavy
Rocket Launch Video Streams
Weather Forecast During Launch
According to weather officials, there's a 40% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch.
About the NROL-71 Mission
| Type | Government/Top Secret |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Low Earth Orbit |
| Launch Cost | $350,000,000 |
Classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.
This classified mission is operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the U.S. government agency responsible for designing, building, and operating reconnaissance satellites. NRO missions support national security by providing critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities from space.
Understand National Reconnaissance Office satellite missions (opens in a new tab)
Launch Pad & Location
Space Launch Complex 6
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
| Launches | 14 |
|---|---|
| Orbital Launch Attempts | 14 |
| Total Launches | 916 |
Vandenberg Space Force Base is a United States Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Established in 1941, Vandenberg Space Force Base is a space launch base, launching spacecraft from the Western Range, and also performs missile testing. The United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 30 serves as the host delta for the base, equivalent to an Air Force air base wing. In addition to its military space launch mission, Vandenberg Space Force Base also hosts space launches for civil and commercial space entities, such as NASA and SpaceX.
ULA Delta IV Heavy Rocket
The Delta IV Heavy (Delta 9250H) is an expendable heavy-lift launch vehicle, the largest type of the Delta IV family, and is the world's second highest-capacity rocket in operation. It is manufactured by United Launch Alliance and was first launched in 2004.
| Length | 72.0 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 5.0 m |
| Stages | 2 |
| Launch Mass | 733.0 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 8,674.0 kN |
| Apogee | 40,000.0 km |
| LEO Capacity | 28,370 kg |
| GTO Capacity | 14,210 kg |
| GEO Capacity | 14,500 kg |
| Launch Cost | $350,000,000 |
| Maiden Flight | 12/21/2004 |
About ULA
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. ULA launches from both coasts of the US. They launch their Atlas V vehicle from LC-41 in Cape Canaveral and LC-3E at Vandeberg. Their Delta IV launches from LC-37 at Cape Canaveral and LC-6 at Vandenberg.
| Total Launches | 175 |
|---|---|
| Successful | 175 |
| Pending | 73 |
| Consecutive Success | 175 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the ULA Delta IV Heavy NROL-71 launch scheduled?
The ULA Delta IV Heavy NROL-71 launch was scheduled for:
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Where can I watch the ULA Delta IV Heavy NROL-71 launch video?
You can watch the ULA Delta IV Heavy launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the ULA Delta IV Heavy NROL-71 mission launch from?
The ULA Delta IV Heavy rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 6 at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA. Vandenberg Space Force Base is a United States Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Established in 1941, Vandenberg Space Force Base is a space launch base, launching spacecraft from the Western Range, and also performs missile testing. The United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 30 serves as the host delta for the base, equivalent to an Air Force air base wing. In addition to its military space launch mission, Vandenberg Space Force Base also hosts space launches for civil and commercial space entities, such as NASA and SpaceX.
What rocket was used for the NROL-71 mission?
The NROL-71 mission launched aboard a ULA Delta IV Heavy rocket. The Delta IV Heavy (Delta 9250H) is an expendable heavy-lift launch vehicle, the largest type of the Delta IV family, and is the world's second highest-capacity rocket in operation. It is manufactured by United Launch Alliance and was first launched in 2004. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the ULA Delta IV Heavy NROL-71 launch?
The ULA Delta IV Heavy NROL-71 launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the ULA Delta IV Heavy NROL-71 launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest ULA Delta IV Heavy launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the NROL-71 mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official ULA live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.
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