Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle carrying the NROL-82 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) launched from Space Launch Complex-6. ULA has launched 143 times with a 100% mission success rate.
The Delta IV Heavy is known for delivering high-priority missions for the US Space Force, NASA, and the National Reconnaissance Office. The vehicle also carried NASA’s Orion spacecraft on its first orbital test flight and the Parker Solar Probe on its mission to unravel the sun’s mysteries.
The Delta IV rocket was launched for the 42nd time, the 13th time in the Heavy configuration, and ULA’s 31st time with the NRO.
The Delta IV Heavy was made up of three common core boosters, each powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne (AR) RS-68A liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine that produced over 2.1 million pounds of thrust in total. An AR RL10B-2 liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine powered the second stage.
“The unmatched power of the Delta IV Heavy again demonstrated its role as the nation’s proven heavy lift vehicle precisely delivering this critical NRO asset to its intended orbit. We are honored to support National Security space and thank our mission partners for their continued trust and teamwork.”
Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs
