Posted: Fri, Jan 21, 2011, 7:20 AM ET (1220 GMT)
A Delta 4 Heavy successfully launched a classified satellite Thursday afternoon from California. The Delta 4 Heavy lifted off at 4:10 pm EST (2110 GMT) from Space Launch Complex 6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on a mission for the National Reconnaissance Office designated NROL-49. Officials released few details about the mission but declared the launch a success; analysts speculate that the satellite is a new imaging reconnaissance satellite. The launch was the second Delta 4 Heavy launch in two months, and the first launch of the largest US expendable rocket from the California launch complex.

Related Links:

•  SPACE.com article
•  Los Angeles Times article
•  Santa Maria (Calif.) Times article
•  Space News article
•  ULA press release