NRO launches spy satellite

The National Reconnaissance Office successfully launched a spy satellite into orbit on Friday.

Mission NROL-35 was launched aboard a United Launch Alliance heavy-lift Atlas V rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The cargo is classified, but United Launch Alliance touted the launch vehicle, which marked the first flight of the RL10C-1 rocket engine.

"This mission was launched on the most powerful Atlas ever launched from California with more than 2 million pounds of liftoff thrust," said Jim Sponnick, United Launch Alliance for the Atlas and Delta rocket programs. "This was enabled by the addition of the four solid rocket motors, providing additional performance as required to meet our customer's needs."

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