NRO satellite successfully launched aboard Delta IV Heavy

A National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) payload was successfully launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy lift launch vehicle from Space Launch Complex 37, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, at 9:47 p.m., EST, on January 17, 2009.

“This evening’s flawless launch is the fruition of many months of hard work and collaboration of government and industry teams,” said Col John Stizza, Director of the NRO’s Office of Space Launch and NRO Mission Director. This is the first launch of an NRO payload aboard a Delta IV Heavy lift launch vehicle. Tonight’s launch was the third flight of the Delta IV Heavy.

This evening’s launch was dedicated to the memory of Dennis Fitzgerald, former Principal Deputy Director of the NRO, who retired from the NRO on April 2007 after 33 years of dedicated service and who died on December 31, 2008.

The NRO is a joint organization engaged in the research and development, acquisition, launch and operation of overhead reconnaissance systems necessary to meet the needs of the Intelligence Community and of the Department of Defense.

-- NRO --