A big Boeing Delta IV booster lifted off on June 27 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The rocket hurled into space a National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) satellite, NROL-22.

The launch was the first West Coast mission completed for the U.S. Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program.

Roaring away from Space Launch Complex (SLC) 6 -- meant years ago to handle the military's Manned Orbiting Laboratory as well as the space shuttle --  the NRO payload was successfully deployed approximately 54 minutes later.

-- Leonard David

Credit: Thom Baur