ULA launches penultimate Delta IV Heavy rocket

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June 23, 2023

United Launch Alliance has added yet another successful launch to its resume. As of Thursday, the company maintains a 100% success rate over 156 missions.

Early in the morning, the company’s Decatur-made Delta IV Heavy rocket launched with a Department of Defense’s National Reconnaissance Office satellite.

MISSION SUCCESS! United Launch Alliance’s #DeltaIVHeavy rocket successfully launched #NROL68 for @NatReconOfc and @SpaceForceDoD. Success #156 for ULA! Thank you to our customers for the trust they place in us! https://t.co/1DpTfgTtBT pic.twitter.com/oJWP2tiAyF

— ULA (@ulalaunch) June 22, 2023

It was the next to last mission for the Delta IV Heavy series.

“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 the ULA moves to the next generation Vulcan rocket.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.

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