UPDATE 3:
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-68 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lifted off on June 22 at 5:18 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. To date, ULA has launched 156 times with 100 percent mission success.
ULA’s statement: “We continue to build on our valued partnership with the NRO and are grateful for their trust and collaboration as we work to precisely deliver critical national security capabilities to orbit,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “This mission marks the 11th Delta IV Heavy for the NRO and the penultimate launch of the nation’s proven heavy lift vehicle.”
The final Delta IV Heavy will launch in 2024 as ULA transitions its future missions from the East and West Coasts to the next generation Vulcan rocket.
Leveraging a legacy of 100 percent mission success launching more than 155 missions to explore, protect and enhance our world, ULA is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider with world-leading reliability, schedule confidence, and mission optimization. We deliver value unmatched by any launch services company in the industry, a tireless drive to improve, and commitment to the extraordinary.
UPDATE 2: Weather has proven to be another obstacle to overcome… now the ULA Delta IV Heavy launch with the NROL-68 mission is scheduled for 5:10 a.m. EDT on June 22nd, rather than the earlier 3:25 a.m. EDT. The launch broadcast will now start at 4:50 a.m. EDT.
UPDATE: Florida, June 21, 2023) – The launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy carrying the NROL-68 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office is delayed due to an issue with a ground systems pneumatic valve.
The launch is now planned for Thursday, June 22 at 3:25 a.m. EDT.
UPDATE: L-1 Launch Forecast Summary:
- Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 25%
- Primary concerns: Anvil Cloud Rules, Cumulus Cloud Rule, Ground Winds
- Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24-hour delay: 20%
- Primary concern: Anvil Cloud Rules, Ground Winds
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NRO statement: When the United States needs eyes and ears in critical places where no human can reach — be it over the most rugged terrain or through the most hostile territory — it turns to the NRO. The NRO is the Intelligence Community agency responsible for developing, acquiring, launching and operating America’s reconnaissance satellites, as well as operating associated data processing facilities in support of national security.
The NRO uses a variety of satellites to meet mission needs, from small sats to more traditional, larger satellites. This allows the NRO to pursue a hybrid architecture designed to provide global coverage against a wide range of intelligence requirements, carry out research and development efforts, and assist emergency and disaster relief efforts in the U.S. and around the world. The NRO never loses focus on who they are working to protect: our nation and its citizens.
Launch Weather Officer Mark Burger, from the 45th Weather Squadron, says there is a 75 percent chance of favorable conditions for the launch opportunity.
“An unsettled weather pattern is likely to remain in place through at least the middle of the week, characterized by above normal opportunities for showers and thunderstorms each day, with somewhat lesser storm coverage today and perhaps Monday compared to recent days,” the launch weather team says.
Stages of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket for NROL-68 are offloaded from the R/S RocketShip at Port Canaveral, Florida. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance
“While the highest threat for storms will target the afternoon and evening hours, there is an elevated risk that some storms and associated clouds may persist into the overnight hours as a series of upper-level disturbances interact with a developing surface boundary across northern Florida. A subtle shift in this boundary and the flow aloft appears to unfold during the latter portions of the week, leading to somewhat more favorable overnight launch weather.
“Given these considerations, a high threat for showers and storms exists during evening MST rollback operations, with the potential for remnant anvil and cumulus clouds persisting later into the night.”
The launch forecast includes a scattered low- and broken mid-level clouds, good visibility, southwesterly winds variable 12 to 17 knots and a temperature near 75 degrees F.