Another Setback
In mid-December, ULA again tried to launch the NROL-71 mission, only to find a hydrogen leak in one of the Delta IV Heavy rocket's boosters. The mission was called off to make fixes.
Another Target
ULA initially aimed for Dec. 30 to attempt another launch of NROL-71, but stood down to complete work on the hydrogen leak fix.
NROL-71 Rolling Out
The NROL-71 spy satellite and its United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
Ready to Fly
By the second week of January, the Delta IV Heavy was ready to fly. This long-exposure image shows the rollback of the mobile service tower from the rocket during launch preparations.
Service Tower Rollback
The NROL-71 spy satellite and its United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
ULA NROL-71 Mission Art
Mission artwork for NROL-71, a reconnaissance payload that launched atop a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket on Jan. 19, 2019.
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