A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Medium+ (5,2) rocket carried a satellite payload into orbit from SLC-6 (Space Launch Complex-6), Vandenberg in California at 2210 GMT on 12 January 2018. The spacecraft was officially codenamed the NRO L-47 mission showing it was for the National Reconnaissance Office. The circa 8,000kg satellite is thought to be Topaz V – the fifth satellite in the Topaz radar reconnaissance satellites which were a successor to the Lacrosse/Onyx series of radar satellites.
SLC-6 Vandenberg launch of Delta IV Medium+ (5,2) carrying NRO L-47 which is thought to be a radar satellite. Courtesy: ULA
The rocket Delta IV Medium+ (5, 2) configuration is powered by one common booster core which employs a RS-68A using Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen (LOx) as propellants, and two solid rocket motors built by Orbital ATK. A single RL10B-2 liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen (LOx) engine powers the second stage. The booster and upper stage engines are both built by Aerojet Rocketdyne. ULA constructed the Delta IV Medium+ (5,2) launch vehicle in Decatur, Alabama.
