24/7 Space News
ROCKET SCIENCE
Final Voyage Delayed: ULA Postpones Last Delta IV Heavy Launch with Classified NRO Payload
ULA screen shoot.
Reuters Events SMR and Advanced Reactor 2025
Final Voyage Delayed: ULA Postpones Last Delta IV Heavy Launch with Classified NRO Payload
by Clarence Oxford
Space Coast FL (SPX) Mar 28, 2024

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) has announced a postponement in the final mission of the Delta IV Heavy rocket, now rescheduled for Friday afternoon. This delay comes as the rocket was prepared for its last journey from Cape Canaveral Space Force Base's Space Launch Complex-37.

The intended launch time was at 2:45 p.m. EDT; however, a hold was called by flight control approximately four minutes prior to liftoff. Ton Heter, the Launch Director, confirmed that the mission, known as NROL-70, would be deferred to the next available window at 1:37 p.m. EDT on Friday.

NROL-70 is conducted for the National Reconnaissance Office, carrying a classified payload, speculated to be an Electronic Signals Intelligence Satellite. This mission signifies the conclusion of the Delta IV Heavy's service and the retirement of the entire Delta rocket family, which has been instrumental in delivering payloads for the U.S. since 1960. The legacy began with the successful deployment of the Echo 1A communications satellite.

Originally developed by Macdonald Douglas and Boeing after their merger in 1997, the Delta IV Heavy, now produced by ULA, has facilitated the launch of numerous U.S. satellites over the last two decades. Since its inaugural flight in 2002, there have been 44 launches, with 16 of these utilizing the Delta IV Heavy variant. While primarily serving the U.S. defense sector, the platform has also supported missions for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA.

Related Links
United Launch Alliance
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ROCKET SCIENCE
Spaceport Nova Scotia Partners with Impulso.Space for Enhanced Launch Services from Florida
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 22, 2024
Maritime Launch Services Inc. (Cboe CA:MAXQ, OTCQB: MAXQF) and Impulso.Space USA Corporation, in a significant expansion of their partnership, have inked a five-year agreement. Under this deal, Maritime Launch will deliver vehicle payload capacity for both rideshare and dedicated launch missions from Spaceport Nova Scotia, while Impulso.Space will offer payload integration services from its newly established logistics and ground operations base in Florida. Located near Canso, Hazel Hill, and Littl ... read more

ROCKET SCIENCE
NanoAvionics Partners with Neuraspace for Advanced Space Traffic Management Solutions

Advanced Space Revolutionizes Moon Navigation with AI-Powered CAPSTONE Experiment

Russia's Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft docks to ISS

Beyond Gravity launches space data service for enhanced satellite intelligence

ROCKET SCIENCE
Ariane 6 Nears Maiden Flight: Twin Cores Assembled at European Spaceport

Ariane 6's Maiden Voyage Marks a New Era for European Space Missions with YPSat Onboard

Orbex patents Reusable Rocket Technology dubbed 'Petal Fold'

SpaceX sends 23 more Starlink satellites into orbit in Falcon 9 launch from Florida

ROCKET SCIENCE
European Scientists Unveil Detailed Mars Map Ahead of Rosalind Franklin Rover Mission

Sun Blob Blues Sols 4134-4135

Bipartisan Congressional call to ensure Mars Sample Return a success

Curiosity's Encore Journey Along Upper Gediz Vallis Ridge

ROCKET SCIENCE
Shenzhou 17 astronauts complete China's first in-space repair job

Tiangong Space Station's Solar Wings Restored After Spacewalk Repair by Shenzhou XVII Team

BIT advances microbiological research on Chinese Space Station

Chang'e 6 and new rockets highlight China's packed 2024 space agenda

ROCKET SCIENCE
Four veteran space industry leaders join Astrobotic as company turn to Griffin-1 project

Dedicated Satellite Set to Broaden Internet Access in Argentina

Intelsat bolsters global connectivity through enhanced Eutelsat Group Partnership

Rivada Space Networks Unveils OuterNET: A Global Communications Revolution

ROCKET SCIENCE
New Study Unveils Inadequacies in Traditional Theories of Van Allen Belts

Large language models use a surprisingly simple mechanism to retrieve some stored knowledge

MatSing Elevates Satellite Communications with Advanced Lens Antenna Technology

Kayhan Space revolutionizes university space programs with Pathfinder Classroom

ROCKET SCIENCE
ESA targets Enceladus in ambitious mission to Saturn

Unveiling hydrogen's role in life's early energy mechanisms

Life Detection on Ice Moons Could Be Within Reach, New Study Shows

Loathed by scientists, loved by nature: sulfur and the origin of life

ROCKET SCIENCE
Unlocking the Secrets of Eternal Ice in the Kuiper Belt

Hubble's Latest Gaze Reveals Jupiter's Dynamic Weather Patterns

NASA Armstrong Updates 1960s Concept to Study Giant Planets

NASA's Europa Jupiter Mission will be packed with humanity's messages

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.