BY JUSTIN RAY

Follow the countdown and launch of the Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket with a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

Read our earlier status center coverage.

Flight data file
Vehicle: Atlas 2AS (AC-162)
Payload: NRO
Launch date: Oct. 10, 2001
Launch period: 10:15-11:15 p.m. EDT (0215-0315 GMT on 11th)
Launch site: SLC-36B, Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla.
Satellite broadcast: Telstar 6, Trans. 17, C-band

Pre-launch briefing
Launch timeline - Chart with times and descriptions of events to occur during the launch.

Ground track - See the trajectory the rocket will follow during its flight.

Atlas 2AS vehicle data - Overview of the rocket to be used in this launch.

Mission poster - The official artwork for this launch that is called Aquila.

Atlas index - A directory of our previous Atlas launch coverage.