A Delta IV-Heavy rocket lifts a spy satellite designated NROL-32 into orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 5:58 p.m. on 21 November 2010. What little word there is about the classified satellite is that it is built for electronic eavesdropping with what is rumored to be the largest antenna ever launched into space. The rocket launched into almost total cloud cover; with rain at the viewing area coming to a temporary stop just ten minutes before launch, and then restarting again just a few minutes afterward. In the photos, note the flare stack in the photo at upper left burning excess hydrogen from the super cold liquid hydrogen that fuels the rocket along with liquid oxygen. The picture at bottom right shows the rocket as it passes through the spotlights moments before disappearing into the clouds. | |
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