CAPE CANAVERAL AIR STATION, Fla. -- [View Photo] --

A National Reconnaissance Office satellite was successfully launched aboard an Atlas IIA rocket from Space Launch Complex 36 here at 1:37 p.m. Eastern Standard Time today. The NRO, which designed and built the satellite, will also operate it. The launch was a team effort between the NRO, the Cape's 3rd Space Launch Squadron, Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles AFB, Calif. and the Lockheed Martin Astronautics Corporation. "The Atlas team did an outstanding job," said Brig. Gen. Randall Starbuck, commander of the 45th Space Wing at Patrick AFB, which is responsible for launches from Cape Canaveral AS. "We continue to maintain assured access to space with each national defense launch.