America launches a spy satellite secretly into the universe

The US keeps information about satellite NROL-47 put on Earth orbit from Vandenberg air base.

The US successfully launched the NROL-47 with Delta IV Medium missiles from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, to orbit Earth, Space reported.

The NROL-47 satellite operates under the control of the US National Reconnaissance Agency (NRO).

The NROL-47 satellite operates under the control of the US National Reconnaissance Agency (NRO), which manufactures and manages its spy satellites. NRO's missions are often confidential. NROL-47 is not an exception when information on the operation of the satellite is kept private.

The NROL-47 rocket launcher has a 5m-wide storage compartment and two rocket-propelled engines attached to the center, built by United Launch Alliance (ULA).

"Previously, this version of Delta IV was used twice. Analysts tracking space operations said that both launches in 2012 and 2016 were to bring the satellite to spy on Topaz radar. "trajectory," wrote editor Stephen Clark at Spaceflight Now.

This was the first launch of ULA in 2018. The company launched 27 satellites for the NRO, three of which took place last year and all use Atlas V. missiles.

Meanwhile, the 66m long Delta IV rocket made a total of 36 space missions, the ULA representative said. The launch this morning was delayed for two days, first due to strong winds, then due to problems with a valve in the underground system.