september, 2018
26sep00:00Delta IV Heavy • NROL-71

Event Details
Launch Date: September 26, 2018 Launch Window: TBA Launch Vehicle: Delta IV Heavy Launch
Event Details
Launch Date: | September 26, 2018 |
Launch Window: | TBA |
Launch Vehicle: | Delta IV Heavy |
Launch Operator: | United Launch Alliance |
Launch Site: | SLC-6 Vandenberg Air Force Base, California |
Payload: | NROL-71 |
Payload Type: | Reconnaissance |
Payload Operator: | U.S. National Reconnaissance Office |
A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket will launch the NROL-71 payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office to replenish America’s space-based intelligence-gathering system. Based on the type of launch vehicle and launch site, NROL-71 is most likely a heavy Keyhole KH-11 image reconnaissance satellite, targeting a slightly elliptical orbit of around 260 by 1,000 Kilometers from where the 19-metric-ton satellites can capture high-resolution imagery for analysis by the various U.S. intelligence agencies.
Mission Resources:
? Launch Vehicle Overview: Delta IV Heavy
Time
(Wednesday) 00:00 UTC
Location
Space Launch Complex 6
Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 6, Luner Road, Lompoc, CA, United States