NRO satellite successfully launched aboard Atlas V

A National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) payload was successfully launched aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) from Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral, Florida, on June 15, 2007 at 11:12 a.m. EDT. This is the first Atlas V launch of an NRO payload.

"Today's launch is a tribute to the hard work of a dedicated government and industry team. We have now had two successful launches using the new EELV launch vehicles," said Col James Norman, Director of the NRO Office of Space Launch and NRO Mission Director. Col Norman's comments were in reference to today's launch of the Atlas V EELV and a June 2006 launch of a Delta IV EELV from Vandenberg AFB, California. "Today's success also underscores the importance to our country's National Security Space enterprise of having and sustaining a reliable and experienced launch capability for these critical missions," said Col Norman.

The NRO develops and operates unique and innovative overhead reconnaissance systems and conducts intelligence-related activities essential for U.S. national security. This launch directly supports NRO's goals of being the foundation for global situational awareness and for providing intelligence information on timelines responsive to user needs.