12/18/2006 – VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — Vandenberg successfully launched a Delta II rocket carrying a National Reconnaissance Office payload from Space Launch Complex-2 at 1 p.m. Dec. 14.
The Delta II, a 125.75-foot expendable launch, medium-lift vehicle, launches civil and commercial payloads into low-earth, polar, geosynchronous transfer and stationary orbits.
Vandenberg credited teamwork in the delivery of 100-percent mission success.
“Today’s successful launch was accomplished from the outstanding teamwork from all organizations to include the 30th Space Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center, NRO, and recently named United Launch Alliance,” said Col. Jack Weinstein, 30th SW commander.
“Vandenberg ensures national security with each executed launch, continuously proving that no one does it better,” he said.
Vandenberg Airmen strive to continually deliver successful launches to ensure national security through teamwork with other base organizations.
“I’m proud of our entire 30th Space Wing team for their amazing teamwork that made NROL-21 a success,” Lt. Col. David Goldstein, commander of the 4th Space Launch Squadron, said. “The perfect orbit insertion we achieved is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the professional Airmen of the 30th Space Wing.”
“The 4th SLS along with the 30th Launch Support Squadron and the Aerospace corporation conducted launch base mission assurance guaranteeing 100-percent mission success and we delivered; the satellite launched will provide invaluable intelligence data to support the Global War on Terror.”
The next United Launch Alliance mission from Vandenberg will be an Atlas V in the spring.
