US to Launch Secret Spy Satellite Saturday

Space.com ^ | January 16, 2019 05:17pm ET | Mike Wall,

[BenLurkin]

The NROL-71 spacecraft is scheduled to launch atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base on Saturday (Jan. 19) at 2:05 p.m. EST (1905 GMT; 11:05 a.m. local California time), ULA representatives announced yesterday (Jan. 15).

ULA had originally targeted early December for NROL-71's liftoff, but bad weather and technical issues pushed the launch back multiple times. The most recent attempt, on Dec. 19, was nixed because of a slight hydrogen leak on the Delta IV Heavy — an issue that has taken several weeks to resolve.

NROL-71 will be operated by the NRO, which manages the United States' fleet of spy satellites. The activities of such spacecraft are generally classified, and NROL-71 is no different. Government officials have not disclosed details about the satellite's mission, and ULA is expected to end its launch webcast about 6 minutes after liftoff to help preserve secrecy.

[BenLurkin]

SoCal ping

[Getready]

It is so secret...even i know about it....double secret satellite?

[Windflier]

Secret? Not anymore.

[dragnet2]

If ya know about it, please share.

[Telepathic Intruder]

Obviously it’s purpose is to spy on Trump’s 2020 campaign.

[dragnet2]

Btw, Vandenberg is required to advise/warn in advance, general aviation, commercial aviation, ships at sea, etc.. So the launch date is not a big secret. But the mission can be an entirely different story.

[fieldmarshaldj]

*ping*

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks fieldmarshaldj. It's easy to spot, because someone stenciled "SECRET SPY SATELLITE" across the fuselage.

[GraceG]

Not a secret anymore.... Nice job breaking it

[Boomer]

Hahaha... not a secret now! Loose lips sinks ships.

Not directed at the OP; just the publication(s) that published this.

[csvset]

[PIF]

Nice. What do the initials on the tags stand for?

[csvset]

The NRO has created an excellent mission patch for the flight, which depicts an eagle wearing a dog tag with the initials "JLC." This is in remembrance of Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain, a Union commander who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism at the battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Chamberlain and his men held the Union Army's southern flank at Little Round Top..

Source

Joshua Chamberlain

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

What is secret is its orbit, capabilities and mission. There is a world wide group of amateurs who track secret satellites visually and trade sightings on the internet. Fun times.

[yldstrk]

big damn secret

[Tucker39]

Chamberlain’s actions at Gettysburg were no flash in the pan. He was an honorable, upstanding gentleman of the first water before he volunteered for the Union Army, and he lived a remarkably dignified, salutary life all his days after Gettysburg, as well.

[Retvet]

So much for being secret.

[Two Kids' Dad]

Let’s just hope it doesn’t get delayed again.

[60Gunner]

Nt so secret anymore.