Posted: Thu, Mar 13, 2008, 2:14 PM ET (1814 GMT)
An Atlas 5, on its first mission from the West Coast, successfully launched a classified satellite early Thursday. The Atlas 5 411 lifted off at 6:02 am EDT (1002 GMT) and placed a classified satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office into orbit. Few details about the mission, designated NROL-28, were released by the NRO. The launch was the first for the Atlas 5 from Vandenberg, using a renovated launch pad at Space Launch Complex 3 East that had previously been used for older, now-retired Atlas vehicles.

Related Links:

•  Lompoc (Calif.) Record article
•  Denver Rocky Mountain News article
•  AP article
•  Spaceflight Now launch status center
•  ULA press release