Check out ULA’s next launch: Delta IV Heavy - Jan. 20

United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy NROL-49 - Jan. 20, 1:08 p.m. PST

Rocket/Payload:  Delta IV Heavy carrying the National Reconnaissance Office L-49 payload.

Date/Launch Time/Site: Jan. 20, with a launch time of 1:08 p.m. PST from Space Launch Complex-6, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

Launch Notes: This is the first launch of a Delta IV Heavy from Vandenberg and it will be the largest rocket ever launched from the West Coast of the United States. This will be the fifth launch of the Delta IV Heavy in program history with all previous launches taking place at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.  The last launch at SLC-6 was November 2006 and since then a multi-year modification project has taken place at the pad to prepare for this launch. Click here for a fact sheet on the history of SLC-6 and the modifications that took place. 

Mission Description: This launch supports the military’s national defense mission.

Launch Broadcast: The launch is scheduled to be carried live beginning at 12:43 p.m. PST.  Keep in mind, the broadcast will end approximately 6 minutes and 30 seconds after launch with the confirmation of payload fairing separation and all external audio and video feeds will end at this time.

Viewing the Launch by Webcast: A live simulcast of the TV broadcast of the launch begins at 12:43 p.m. PST, on the ULA Web site.

Launch Updates:  To keep up to speed with updates to the launch countdown, dial the ULA launch hotline at 1-877-852-4321.