Shrouded in secrecy, an Atlas 5 rocket was launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on a classified mission for the United States National Reconnaissance Office.
Shrouded in secrecy, an Atlas 5 rocket was launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on a classified mission for the United States National Reconnaissance Office.
A webcast of the launch was shut down, along with a total news blackout that was reportedly ordered by officials from the United States military.
Jim Sponnick, vice president of the United Launch Alliance is quoted in a press release as saying: “Congratulations to all of our mission partners on today's successful launch of the NROL-33 mission! The ULA team is honored to deliver another critical national security asset to orbit together with the NRO Office of Space Launch and the Air Force.”
United Launch Alliance, the private company the manufactured and launched the rocket is facing some controversy for using RD-180 engines manufactured by Russia for their Atlas 5 rocket.
The US government had briefly banned the use of the Russian rocket engines through sanctions, which were then appealed.
After that, the Russians had threatened to stop supplying the US with the engines, but no action has been taken by either side yet.
Meanwhile, the United Launch Alliance has had four successful rocket launches in the past seven weeks.
