Delta 4 Heavy Launch Targeting Jan. 13

The launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is now targeted for Jan. 13.

"That will depend on all the factors that it normally depends on as far as the range is concerned, as well as continued good checkout of the booster and the payload itself," said Rick Oborn, a spokesman for the National Reconnaissance Office.

The rocket will carry a classified NRO spacecraft from Launch Complex 37.

Once targeted for last July, the mission slipped to November and then December. Oborn cited technical issues with the spacecraft for the most recent delays.

Officials announced earlier this month that they would not attempt a Dec. 16 launch or one closer to the Christmas holiday. They decided to target mid-January, but had not identified a date.

The launch will be ULA's second operational launch of a Delta 4 Heavy. The first was a U.S. Air Force satellite on Nov. 10, 2007.

You can read more about Delta 4 rockets in this product card.

The launch will be ULA's fifth for the NRO since the joint venture between Boeing Corp. and Lockheed Martin began operations Dec. 1, 2006. The NRO designs, builds and operates the nation's reconnaissance satellites. You can read more about the agency here.

IMAGE NOTE: Click on the images to enlarge them. Above, a United Launch Alliance Delta 4 Heavy is positioned at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 37 in November 2007. Credit: ULA.