Spy Satellite Launch Shakes Up California -- ABC News
Delta IV Heavy Rocket Launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base
The United States launched a classified spy satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California this afternoon -- and for a top-secret launch, the government was actually pretty open about it.
The satellite -- publicly designated NROL-49 -- was mounted atop a rocket 230 feet tall, known as a Delta IV Heavy. It is currently the tallest rocket in America's fleet of launchers, and when it leaves a launch pad, generating two million pounds of thrust, it is hard to miss.
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More News On The Launch Of A Classified Spy Satellite From Vandenberg Air Force Base
Massive US rocket sends top-secret cargo into space -- The Register
Secret payload launched on largest West Coast rocket -- Reuters
Classified satellite launched from California base -- AP
Launch of giant rocket in Southern California heard for miles -- L.A. Times
California: Rocket Launches With Secret Payload -- New York Times
Huge Delta rocket takes off from California -- BBC
Spy satellite launch is West Coast's biggest ever -- TG Daily
23-story tall rocket carrying national security payload launched -- International Business Times
Massive Rocket Blasts Off on Probable Spy Mission -- PC Magazine
Vandenberg rocket: largest American rocket blasted off today on West Coast -- Christian Science Monitor
23-story rocket launches U.S. spy satellite -- CNN
My Comment: When U.S. Secretary of defense Gates was in China, the Chinese showed off their new stealth fighter .... the J-20. With Chinese President Hu Jintao in the U.S., we show off our latest spy satellite. Hmmmm .... I call this a tit for tat.