Delta IV-Heavy Launch Scheduled

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV-Heavy rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload is scheduled to be launched by team Vandenberg from Space Launch Complex-6 here Wednesday at 10:52 a.m. PST.

Col. Keith Balts, 30th Space Wing commander will be the launch decision authority.

“This will be the second Delta IV-Heavy launched from Vandenberg,” said Balts. “We are excited to showcase this national capability for heavy lift on the Western Range in support of the NRO. This is what makes Vandenberg unique because we provide the full spectrum of space lift capabilities from smaller launch vehicles up to and including the Delta IV-Heavy.”

The 4th Space Launch Squadron is in charge of mission assurance and safety for this launch operation.

“This is my first launch as the new 4th SLS commander,” said Lt. Col. James Bodnar, 4th SLS commander. “We work very closely with the customer throughout the whole process to ensure safety measures and milestones are met at various stages in planning.”

This is the second Delta IV-Heavy launched from Vandenberg with the first launch taking off Jan. 20, 2011.

The rocket will carry a national security payload for the NRO.