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NROL-101

Atlas 5

Photos: Atlas 5’s stunning climb to space at sunset

November 19, 2020 Stephen Clark

This photo gallery includes a series of spectacular pictures of the launch of an Atlas 5 rocket Nov. 13 from Cape Canaveral with a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office.

Atlas 5

ULA declares success on Atlas 5 launch with new solid rocket boosters

November 14, 2020 Stephen Clark

A top secret cargo for the U.S. government’s spy satellite agency soared into orbit from Cape Canaveral at the tip of a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket Friday night, successfully debuting a new solid-fueled booster design that ULA says are cheaper and easier to handle than previous strap-on motors.

Atlas 5

Watch a 4K replay of the Atlas 5 launching for the National Reconnaissance Office

November 14, 2020 Spaceflight Now

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket roars away from launch complex 41 at Cape Canaveral carrying a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office.

Atlas 5

Atlas 5 rocket back on the launch pad for national security mission

November 12, 2020 Stephen Clark

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket made its third trip to a Cape Canaveral launch pad Thursday, rolling into position for liftoff Friday afternoon with a classified payload for the U.S. government’s spy satellite agency.

Atlas 5

Live coverage: ULA launches Atlas 5 rocket with cargo for spysat agency

November 12, 2020 Stephen Clark

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral with a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office at 5:32 p.m. EST (2232 GMT) Friday. The launcher debuted new Northrop Grumman-built solid rocket boosters.

Atlas 5

Atlas 5 takes shelter from Tropical Depression Eta

November 6, 2020 Stephen Clark

With Tropical Depression Eta forecast to restrengthen into a tropical storm and move toward Florida, United Launch Alliance moved an Atlas 5 rocket off its launch pad at Cape Canaveral Friday and delayed liftoff with a U.S. government spy satellite to Wednesday.

Atlas 5

ULA scrubs Atlas 5 launch as SpaceX readies repaired rocket for GPS mission

November 4, 2020 Stephen Clark

United Launch Alliance called off the planned launch of an Atlas 5 rocket Wednesday at Cape Canaveral to resolve a problem with valves at the launch pad, while a SpaceX team a mile-and-a-half to the south readied a Falcon 9 rocket for liftoff Thursday evening with a GPS navigation satellite for the U.S. military.

Atlas 5

Photos: Atlas 5 rolls to launch pad with new solid rocket boosters

November 4, 2020 Stephen Clark

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket with a new type of solid rocket booster emerged from its hangar Tuesday evening for the 1,800-foot rollout to pad 41 at Cape Canaveral, moving into position for liftoff Wednesday with a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload.

Atlas 5

Atlas 5 rocket, NRO payload return to launch pad after repairs

November 3, 2020 Stephen Clark

Ready for blastoff just after sunset Wednesday with a classified payload for the U.S. government’s spy satellite agency, a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket rolled out to its launch pad at Cape Canaveral late Tuesday afternoon after an unplanned trip back inside its integration building for repairs.

Atlas 5

Live coverage: Atlas 5 launch delayed to Nov. 13

November 2, 2020 Stephen Clark

The Atlas 5 was rolled off launch pad 41 to take shelter in the Vertical Integration Facility because of the threat from Tropical Depression Eta. United Launch Alliance has said it is delaying the launch until Nov. 13 at 5:13 p.m. EST (2213 GMT).

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News Headlines

  • Falcon Heavy flies its first mission for U.S. spy satellite agency
    October 1, 2026
  • Fresh crew takes off for six-month stay aboard space station
    October 1, 2026
  • Launch preview: NASA, SpaceX launch next crewed mission to the International Space Station
    October 1, 2026
  • NASA plans unpiloted Starliner test flight at end of year
    September 29, 2026
  • Starship returns to Earth; rocket splashes down north of Hawaii after three-hour flight
    September 28, 2026
  • Launch preview: SpaceX to launch first Starlink V3 satellites to orbit on Starship
    September 28, 2026
  • Next crew bound for the space station arrive in Florida
    September 26, 2026
  • SpaceX Falcon 9 launches classified mission for U.S. Space Force from West Coast
    September 25, 2026
  • NASA announces new space telescope ‘PRIMA’ to launch in 2033
    September 24, 2026
  • SpaceX stack Starship and Super Heavy for first orbital flight
    September 23, 2026
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