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U.S. Air Force, ULA launch NROL-79 spy satellite

By Ryan Maass
The U.S. Reconnaissance Office's NROL-79 satellite will perform classified national security missions. Photo courtesy United Launch Alliance
The U.S. Reconnaissance Office's NROL-79 satellite will perform classified national security missions. Photo courtesy United Launch Alliance

March 2 (UPI) -- The United Launch Alliance launched an Atlas V rocket carrying a payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

The rocket carried a classified satellite known as NROL-79 into space. Once in orbit, the spacecraft will be used to support national security missions. The United Launch Alliance partnered with the U.S. Air Force and other industry partners for the event.

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"I am so impressed by the incredible teamwork between the NRO, U.S. Air Force, our industry partners and the ULA team that resulted in today's successful launch," government satellite launch vice president Laura Maginnis said in a press release.

ULA, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, supplied its Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle, or EELV, for the launch. Additional advanced hardware was provided by Orbital ATK.

"Seeing another successful Atlas V launch bolsters the pride we have in our partnership with ULA and confirms the trust they and the NRO place in us in delivering this critical asset for our nation's security," Orbital ATK Aerospace Structures vice president Steve Earl added. "Our highly engineered composite structures and control products, unwavering commitment and exceptional teamwork ensure dependable access to space and affordable innovation for our customers."

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The event marked ULA's second launch in 2017, and the company's 117th successful launch since the venture was founded in December 2006.

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