Following Setbacks, ULA Successfully Launches NRO Mission

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas 5 rocket carrying NROL 52 lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 at 3:28 a.m. ET. on Oct. 15. Photo: ULA.

After a number of launch delays due to weather and technical malfunctions, United Launch Alliance (ULA) orbited a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in the early hours of Oct. 15. Designated NROL 52, the mission is in support of national security, and as such NRO declined to release further details about the payload.

ULA launched the payload aboard an Atlas 5 Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) 421 configuration vehicle, which includes a 4-meter payload fairing and two solid rocket boosters. The Atlas booster for this mission was powered by the RD Amross’ RD-180 engine, while Aerojet Rocketdyne’s RL10C-1 engine powered the Centaur upper stage.

ULA’s next launch is the Joint Polar Satellite System 1 (JPSS 1) for NASA and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The launch is scheduled for Nov. 10 at 1:47 a.m. PST (4:47 a.m. EST) from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

NROL 52 marks ULA’s seventh launch of the year so far, and the 26th launch for NRO.