This isn't the secret launch. Well, not this secret launch.
Posted on 11/22/2010 12:24:31 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
***********************************************
( not sure I believe that....)
*************************************
A powerful Delta 4 rocket roared to life and climbed away from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Sunday evening on a high-priority mission to boost a National Reconnaissance Office spy satellite into orbit.
Under a cloudy sky, the hydrogen-fueled engines in the three common core boosters of the United Launch Alliance Delta 4 ignited with a rush of orange fire at 5:58 p.m. EST and quickly throttled up to nearly 2 million pounds of thrust.
Hold-down clamps then released and the huge rocket majestically climbed away from launch complex 37 atop a torrent of fiery exhaust. About 30 seconds later, it knifed into a deck of low clouds and disappeared from view.
Because the NROL-32 payload is classified, United Launch Alliance halted commentary about seven minutes after liftoff, just after the protective nose cone fairing separated and fell away. The vehicle was performing normally at that point, but no other updates were expected.
The payload is believed to be an electronic eavesdropping satellite with a huge collecting antenna. In a September address to the Air Force Association, NRO Director Bruce Carlson said the Delta 4 was carrying "the largest satellite in the world."
"I believe the payload is the fifth in the series of what we call Mentor spacecraft, a.k.a. Advanced Orion," Ted Molczan, a respected satellite tracker, told Spaceflight Now. "They are among the largest satellites ever deployed."
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
If it’s so secret, why do we know about it?
328 feet wide....?
That wasn’t a missile, it was a UPS MD-11 leaving a contrail. ;)
This isn't the secret launch. Well, not this secret launch.
Oh my, this sounds important. It’s sure a good thing it’s being kept a secret.
WHo is it pointed at? Wait, lemme think; Obama’s “enemies”?
If true, should be easily visible as a naked eye object like the ISS
Will the Janet Incompitano be able to take pictures of us in our Tighty Whitey’s from Space??
Kind of hard to hide the launch when it lights up the sky...you think they should fix that?
It’s so powerful it can spot an underwear bomb from orbit.
Oh my, this sounds important. It’s sure a good thing it’s being kept a secret.
Must have been a Russian or Chinese ICBM!
Launched on orders from Jay Rockefeller to keep an eye on Fox News.
How secret can it be if CBS is doing a story about it?
So powerful, it can photograph your junk from 200 miles up.
((shhh))
Secret Spy Satellite
Not any longer!
A Butt coverup if I ever saw one!
observe the curve of the tail!
I recall some place a saying something like “Lose Lips Sink Ships”.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.