spacetoday.net: space news from around the webin association with SpaceNews


Atlas 2 launches NRO payload
Posted: Tue, Dec 2, 2003, 11:21 AM ET (1621 GMT)
Atlas 2AS launches NRO spacecraft An Atlas 2AS rocket, performing its final launch from California, placed a secret National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) payload into orbit early Tuesday. The Atlas 2AS lifted off from SLC-3E at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, at 5:02 am EST (1002 GMT). The booster released its payload into a transfer orbit 74 minutes later. No information about the nature of the payload was disclosed, although satellite experts believe the payload was two or three Naval Ocean Surveillance System (NOSS) spacecraft. The satellites are used to track and identify ocean vessels. The launch was the last Atlas 2 mission to be launched from the West Coast: the SLC-3E launch site will now be converted to support Atlas 5 launches starting in 2005.
<<previous article   next article>>
news in brief
Starship explodes during preparations for static-fire test
Posted: Sun, Jun 22 6:52 AM ET (1052 GMT)

French government leads investment in Eutelsat
Posted: Sat, Jun 21 8:38 AM ET (1238 GMT)

NASA further delays Ax-4 launch
Posted: Sat, Jun 21 8:34 AM ET (1234 GMT)

news links
Thursday, July 3
SpaceX double launch lights up Florida sky, but most Volusia beachgoers don't notice
Daytona Beach (FL) News-Journal — 2:39 am ET (0639 GMT)


about spacetoday.net   ·   info@spacetoday.net   ·   mailing list